COTTAGE GROVE – Cottage Grove underwent some significant changes this year, like a new Main Street and Bohemia Park Splash Pad. Mayor Candace Solesbee discussed what it has been like to achieve these accomplishments and some of the challenges 2025 brought.
“One of the things that has been at the very top of our list that we have been focusing on is the downtown Main Street reconstruction. I am proud to say that we did a ribbon cutting for that on Dec. 12, and were able to open traffic flow in both directions on Main Street that day,” Solesbee said.
She mentioned how helpful and kind the Wildish Construction team has been to work with, and how grateful she is that the project finished on time. There are still minor items to complete, such as street striping, landscaping, lighting, and sign adjustments.
Solesbee also discussed the Bohemia Park Splash Pad, which was completed on July 14. The Splash Pad was a $1.7 million project partially funded by grants.
“We had something that I believe was serendipitous. Before (Faye Stewart, Public Works director) was done speaking, a child ran up and pushed the button to start the splash pad while Faye was still speaking, and we had camera crews, photographers out in the splash pad that had to hurry get off so that their equipment did not get wet, but we all agreed that it was just a meant to be situation. And Faye had a good laugh at that and said, ‘Well, you know, this is what it’s all about, let the kids play.’ It was just a really sweet moment,” Solesbee said.
She brought up the Cleveland Street infrastructure project and mentioned the $3 million grant that came with it.
“I just really want to stress that it is unusual for a city of our size to receive this many large grants, and I believe it is due to the city staff and a lot of our committees. It is our foundation, our service groups, and the Chamber of Commerce. It speaks well of how strong a commitment the people, the citizens, the volunteers, and city staff have in working together for the betterment of Cottage Grove,” she said. “It is such an honor to work for a city that strives for just togetherness and compassion to serve the community.”
Solesbee talked about some challenges she faced in the city council over the year, including differing political stances.
“Through the time that I’ve been on council, not just as mayor, but on council as well, I really did not expect to see not just our city, but our nation so divided,” she said. “That was something that was a challenge. It was hard seeing people be so judgmental of their friends, their families, just because of their political views, and that was something that I always prided myself on, that I had friends from every walk of life, business associates, it didn’t matter what your political views were, we could all get along and talk.”
She noted her dad’s advice, which she took to heart growing up and remembers to this day.
“He would say first of all, to listen more than you speak, and also to listen to the voice of your critics because they will tell you things that your friends will not,” she relayed. “Not everything that is said about you from your critics is the truth, but at least that’s how you’re being perceived, and so take that, learn from it, and always try to see the other side of the coin because there is a reason why people have those thoughts.”
Looking ahead to next year, Solesbee plans to fill vacant businesses on Main Street to create jobs and bring more folks to historic downtown. Something else she is looking forward to in the coming years is having the Wall Dogs visit Cottage Grove. She said they are a world-renowned group of artists and muralists who bring 2 to 300 artists to town and paint 15 murals in 5 days.
“They call that a mural fest, and we are only the third West Coast City to receive this honor in almost 40 years since the inception of the Wall Dogs and their annual events. I am incredibly excited, not just to celebrate public art, but also the reason why the Wall Dogs chose Cottage Grove is that we have such a unique history and heritage that makes our town truly unique,” Solesbee said.
The Wall Dogs will be joining the 50th anniversary of the filming of Animal House in 2027, which Solesbee said will require all hands on deck and hitting the ground running to prepare for.
