Frequently Asked Questions - Downtown Vitality
The Downtown Vitality Strategy Task Force was created in 2025 to recommend strategies for improving downtown Corvallis. The priority areas of DVSTF are:
- Downtown economy: strategies to energize and measurably improve the downtown economic vitality, including private investment and urban renewal.
- Downtown infrastructure: strategies to invest in Downtown infrastructure and amenities, including City of Corvallis facilities.
- Downtown environment/safety: strategies to invest in and improve Downtown's overall environment, cleanliness and safety, including sustainability, welcoming and accessible culture, and housing options.
This page includes answers to some common questions about the Task Force and the City's overall initiative in downtown Corvallis.
What is the role of the Downtown Vitality Task Force?
The Corvallis City Council approved creation of the Task Force to develop a downtown vitality strategy to improve the vitality of downtown.
Who appointed Task Force members?
Corvallis Mayor Charles Maughan appointed the task force.
Who serves on the Task Force?
The Task Force is made up of 40 community members from throughout Corvallis; property and business owners and managers; representatives from local governments and organizations; and all Corvallis City Councilors.
Forty people serving in the Task Force is large number. How is the Task Force organized?
The Task Force is made up of four committees:
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- An executive committee.
- A subcommittee on Downtown Economy.
- The subcommittee will consider and recommend strategies to measurably improve the downtown’s economic vitality, including public and private investment.
- A subcommittee on Downtown Infrastructure.
- The subcommittee will consider and recommend strategies to invest in downtown infrastructure and amenities, including city of Corvallis facilities.
- A subcommittee on Downtown Environment and Safety.
- The subcommittee will consider and recommend strategies to invest in and improve the downtown’s overall environment, cleanliness, and safety, including sustainability, welcoming and accessible culture, and housing options.
Why was the Task Force created now?
The work of the Task Force seeks to build on recent private sector investments in downtown and numerous city initiatives and strategic efforts to improve downtown. These efforts include:
- The city’s strategic plan priority to “nurture a thriving downtown as the hub and character of Corvallis.”
- City strategic plan priorities for “functional, well-maintained and accessible infrastructure;” and a “safe, secure and prepared community.”
- Corvallis 2024 Vision.
- Community Engagement Task Force findings and recommendations.
- City land use regulations for downtown, and development of a civic campus and police facility.
What is the task force’s schedule?
Task Force committees meet weekly. The work of the Task Force will take place over the next 8 to 12 months.
What will a final product by the Task Force look like?
The Task Force is charged with providing the community and the city council with findings and a recommended strategy to successfully advance outcomes and existing city and community plans for downtown.
A final Task Force report with findings and prioritized recommendations will be provided to the community and City Council by Spring 2026.
How will the Task Force engage with community members and gather input?
The Task Force will do its work publicly and engage the broader Corvallis community, representatives of other local governments and institutions. It will hold numerous community engagement meetings and utilize other outreach and survey(s) to gather broad community input on downtown Corvallis and strategies to contribute to a healthy, vital, and safe downtown.
How will improving the vitality of downtown benefit other parts of Corvallis and community residents overall?
The Task Force will assess and demonstrate how the Corvallis community will benefit from strategies to improve downtown, including:
- Private investment in downtown.
- Public investment in downtown.
- Redevelopment of the City Hall block along Madison Avenue between 5th and 6th streets to create a new Civic Campus and Police Station.
How will the Task Force address topics like safety, cleanliness, supporting downtown businesses, or making enhancements to downtown?
Three subcommittees were formed to assure a focus on the downtown economy, infrastructure, environment and safety. Engaging broadly with the community, Task Force subcommittees will explore topics like these and others that are important to the community to help recommend priorities, strategies, and outcomes for the downtown.
How can I learn more about the task force and its work?
More information about efforts to improve downtown are available on the City website.
Information about task force events and opportunities for engagement will be available online at www.corvallisoregon.gov/calendar.
Updates on the Task Force’s work and its findings will be regularly shared with the city council and community members.
How does the work of the Downtown Strategy Vitality Task Force relate to ongoing studies to update or rebuild several city facilities, including how to pay for improvements or building new structures?
The work of the Downtown Strategy Vitality Task Force is separate but will complement the city by evaluating proposals for a new city law enforcement facility downtown and replacing the current City Hall with a Civic Campus along Madison Avenue between 5th and 6th streets.
How can I learn more about the city’s facility study, building concepts and costs being considered, and how these facilities might be paid for?
The City commissioned a third-party evaluation of various funding mechanisms that could be used to complete the Civic Campus and Police Station projects. Read the final report on the City website.
GO BACK: Downtown Vitality Strategy Web Page
