History of McMinnville Downtown Association

McMinnville has enjoyed a long history of private/public partnerships dedicated to downtown revitalization. In the mid-1970s, Mayor Norm Scott appointed the Committee on Redevelopment, which carried out a major renovation project with money from the city and property owners. Over the next decade, McMinnville voters gave the downtown a community center, library, aquatic center and fire hall.

By the mid-1980s, however, Third Street had a storefront vacancy rate nearing 20 percent. Concerned merchants and property owners came together in late-1985 to form McMinnville Downtown Association. Roger Heller was the first MDA president, followed by Steve Macy, Walt Gowell, Mike Mullen, Kim Mills, Carol Granger, Doug Montgomery, Marilyn Dell, Jeb Bladine, Jerry Hart, David Wiegan, Peter Kircher, Stephen Ross, Gene Zinda, Sylla McClellan, and current President, Sam Justice.

The MDA's first full-time manager was Malcolm Johnstone. Patti Webb replaced Johnstone in 1994, and served downtown McMinnville for fourteen years, until 2008. Kris Gullo is the current downtown manger.

In 1986, MDA became the first downtown association in Oregon to initiate startup funding through an Economic Improvement District assessment on properties. City officials worked to set up the Downtown McMinnville Historic District. MDA, the city and Yamhill County worked together on a funding package for renovation of the historic Cozine House now owned and occupied by MDA.

Downtown McMinnville has prospered, with nearly 100 percent occupancy, many major building renovation projects and dozens of new businesses. The MDA has operating committees focused on Organization, Promotion, Marketing, Design, Parking and Economic Improvement.