From the Perspective of Gold Beach Main StreetThe recent town hall meeting was a powerful reminder of just how much our community cares about Gold Beach’s future. With standing room only, community members filled the room — not just to listen, but to engage, ask questions, and share their hopes for a vision that includes a more welcoming, inviting design and creates a safer environment for walkers, motorists, and cyclists. The conversation was both insightful and addressed many locals’ visions for what everyone along our challenging 101-mile-long stretch would like to see. Most importantly, everyone agreed that our main street is in huge need of repair. We also agreed we need to develop and execute a vision. We All Asked the Big Question:Is our town thriving? Then, more importantly, what can we do together to help bring our town back to thriving again? Community members reflected on our past — the loss of the mill and the loss of much of our middle class. (Our graduating class has greatly reduced over the years from 80 students, now down to 20.) These statistics helped us all understand the challenges we face as a community. Everyone was engaging, contributing ideas about how to revive our town and help make it a safer, more inviting main street. Our Community Momentum on Main StreetAmid the tough questions came encouraging news. We all acknowledged the growth of a few local businesses on Main Street — many led by younger entrepreneurs who believe deeply in Gold Beach and are investing their time, energy, creativity, and capital in their new businesses! On the flip side, our community knows our main street storefronts are in great need of repair and maintenance, which led back to a discussion on first steps to creating a welcoming, inviting town. Walkability, Safety, and TourismA recurring theme throughout the meeting was the importance of walkability and safety. Presently, parents feel streets do not feel safe for their children. Everyone agreed that our street traffic needs to slow down and not become a passing speedway. Most want a walkable town, where they can bike, park, shop, and eat. This led into a discussion on a lane configuration to help address these challenges.
Best CompromisesA key message echoed throughout the evening that everyone understood: This project is all about “best compromises.” Kittelson (engineering consultants for ODOT) proposed three possible lane configurations. All three come with challenges. The focus became choosing a solution that slows traffic, improves safety, supports local businesses, and makes space for trees and landscaping. FYI not Discussed: If our community chooses three lanes, it will make Gold Beach much more competitive when applying for state and federal grants. As ODOT has informed us, with greater safety comes greater opportunity for both state and federal funding. (ODOT, of course, is welcoming all options and will follow through with the city’s final decision on lane configuration.) One example of grants we could apply for to help with matching funds would be ODOT’s Great Streets Program. (Grants Pass received approximately $500K in 2026 to improve their streets.)
Three Lane Test Pilot:
During the town hall, the community asked ODOT if they were still willing to stripe Main Street with a temporary three-lane configuration. This would allow the city, emergency services, and the community to test three lanes for one year. The community and city would then know if this configuration works. (This three-lane design would be the same as Port Orford.) It would add street parking in front of businesses, a bike lane, and room for ADA sidewalks and landscaping. If this three-lane configuration was accepted as safe and workable by Fire Chief Kreiger, the community, and city council, the City of Gold Beach would adopt the plan. If not, one of the two other lane configurations would be adopted by the city after one year. This plan gives the city and the community the flexibility to “test” this option to see if it is workable. Once the lane configuration is final, it will then be exciting to begin working on a “master plan” for our town to hopefully fund undergrounding utilities, ADA sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, parking access, and overall beautification. Looking Ahead TogetherThe meeting closed with a shared vision many in the room agree on: The heart of Gold Beach starts with Main Street. Let’s create an inviting, thriving town our families can enjoy for generations to come.
Create a town we can all enjoy — to walk, park, shop, eat, and gather.
Now is our shot. Gold Beach Main Street remains committed to supporting local businesses, encouraging community dialogue, and working together to help our town thrive.
HUGE THANK YOUS:Curry Public Library for a wonderful community gathering facility.
Kittelson & Associates, Inc.: Amy and Susan for their thorough presentation.
ODOT: Chris, Thomas, and Glen for a great, informative presentation.
Mayor Kaufman: Update on sidewalks and support for our community.
Fire Chief Kreiger: Informative, supportive safety guidance for Gold Beach’s future.
Dougherty Landscaping: David Dougherty for an inspiring landscape presentation.
Jordan White: Great facilitator and host.
Tasty Bites: Marna, Becky, and Mary.
Gold Beach Main Street staff, board, and volunteers.
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