With the admirable goal of creating a main street-like feel for visitors to Beaumont Village, the nonprofit Beaumont Business Association (BBA) is busy turning its vision into a reality. Andrew (“Andy”) Frazier, principal of Frazier Wealth Management (a newsletter advertiser) is the association’s president. Recently he provided a rundown of what’s in the works at this energized organization, with visuals high on BBA’s list.
Public Art
“Expect to see more street art installations going up on Fremont,” Frazier said. He mentioned a recently installed mosaic tile mural outside The Arrangement (a newsletter advertiser). The art piece was part of the Dan Ennis Memorial art project by Hail Mary, for which money was raised via Go Fund Me drives and community donations.
Coming in the May-June timeframe is an art installation near Foot Traffic, at the corner of 41st and Fremont. The artwork, a five-foot metal sphere by Portland metal artist Ivan McLean, was funded jointly by the BBA and a grant from Venture Portland. That project is part of place-making efforts for the entrance to Beaumont Village. “We talked to Dave Pietka, one of the Foot Traffic’s owners, to discuss the concept,” said Frazier. “He had some ideas which were in alignment with our board’s thinking, so we moved forward on it.”
Flower Baskets
With spring come showers, then flowers, and the hope is to secure funding from donors and sponsors to continue the flower basket program paid for last year by BBA. The association did so to give business owners a chance to see how it improved the urban district. Now, however, the rubber meets the proverbial road as the association seeks the $7,500 necessary to fund and maintain the baskets. Sponsors (who do not need to be business owners) funding a basket at the $1,500 level will get a return on their investment by way of 12 months of advertising on each of the 18 light poles from which the baskets will be hanging, plus extensive additional marketing exposure. Frazier will be among the sponsors: “This is a way of doing something good for the betterment of the community.”
Kiosks
Another BBA project likely of interest to visitors is the purchase and installation of a series of informational kiosks along Fremont Street. Currently there’s one outside both Batter restaurant and Beaumont Market, and three others will be installed by summer’s end. Kiosks will display a Beaumont Village map and be interactive to facilitate scavenger hunts and promote events.
June 2 – Dash to Doughnuts
This 3k fun run with obstacle course challenges will be hosted by local businesses. Pips Doughnuts will be waiting at the finish line! (See newsletter calendar for details.)
August 4 - Fremont Fest
Preliminary plans include the continuation of last year’s popular Kid Zone, and possibly the addition of a beer garden that would begin in the afternoon and go into the evening.
Alameda Brewing Space
And lastly, for those wondering what’s happening with the Alameda Brewing building, Andy revealed that it’s been purchased recently by two men “known to Beaumont Village, who are actively talking with many interested restaurateurs.”
For more information about the BBA, to find out how to sponsor the flower basket program, or to become a BBA donor or member, visit www.beaumontvillagepdx.com.