How Cafe D Helped Get the Fountains at the Center for the Arts Plaza
Tuesday, August 7, 2018It was March 2013 when the Gresham City Council had to vote for the spending of $1.5 million dollars of federal money to build a fountain at the Center for the Arts Plaza. If the plan was OK’d by the city council, construction would begin in the Summer and be completed by Spring of 2014.
Today, the popular destination for several annual community events like The Summer Arts Festival and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The fountains at the plaza are even popular for weekly music events like the upcoming Music Monday: Party on The Plaza on August 13th featuring Beatles tribute band Paperback Writer.
The Plaza has only been around for a few years and already it feels like a staple of the Downtown Gresham Community. How did it get here? With lots of help, including the City Council testimony by Cody Clark, owner of Café D. Published in the Oregonian on March 29th 2013, we get a taste of what it was like when the City Council was voting on whether or not Downtown Gresham would get it’s fountains.
Cody Clark, who owns Café Delirium a few blocks from the fountain site, told councilors at a public hearing last week that in the past couple of years he has seen the city’s core attract more walkers and families.
“I truly believe bringing a water park to downtown Gresham only helps this momentum,” Clark said. “Families will go to fountains. They’re going to go. Why not put it in our backyard?”
Following testimony, the council voted unanimously to use a $1.5 million loan the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved in late 2012 to pay for fountain design and construction. The actual cost may come in at less than $1.4 million, according to Steve Fancher, director of Gresham’s Environmental Services department.
There you have it. Café D continues to make its mark on the city of Downtown Gresham. Make your morning, afternoon, or evening a part of Gresham’s history by dropping by for a cup of joe.
Café Delirium is Downtown Gresham’s favorite coffeehouse. Visit us on Main Street today to sample our gorgeous coffee drinks while you enjoy charming Historic Downtown Gresham. Check out our menu or ask for your own specialty coffee drink!