The Dalles Grapples with Identity as Downtown Funds Hang in Balance

As leaders weigh millions in urban renewal funds, a deeper question emerges: how to define and connect The Dalles' history, culture and future.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:18am

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The city of The Dalles, Oregon is facing a pivotal moment as it considers how to invest millions in downtown revitalization funds. Beyond just budgets and buildings, city leaders are grappling with a deeper question - how to define and connect The Dalles' unique identity, history, and vision for the future. With a mix of historic assets, emerging creative energy, and a strong sense of community, The Dalles struggles to unify these elements into a cohesive sense of place.

Why it matters

The Dalles is at a crossroads, with the opportunity to invest significant public funds to shape the future of its downtown. However, city leaders recognize that the challenge goes beyond just infrastructure and development - it's about defining the city's identity and creating a stronger connection between its diverse assets and community. How The Dalles chooses to move forward could have lasting impacts on the city's sense of place, economic vitality, and ability to attract new residents and businesses.

The details

A recent inventory of downtown The Dalles found a 9.29% vacancy rate, with over half of businesses in the service sector and wide disparities in property values. City officials now have between $4-7 million in urban renewal funds to invest, sparking debate on whether to focus on smaller, distributed improvements or larger, catalytic redevelopment projects. One key site, the long-vacant Tony's Town & Country lot, has emerged as a test case for the city's ability to turn planning into action. Meanwhile, ongoing public investments like the Federal Street Plaza aim to create new gathering spaces, while a facade improvement program is gaining traction with local businesses.

  • The Dalles urban renewal discussion took place on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
  • The city's urban renewal revenue generation is set to end in 2029.

The players

Jill Amery

An Urban Renewal Board Member who has lived in the area for 40 years and expressed uncertainty about the city's identity.

Kristen Lillvik

A community member who described The Dalles as moving in the same direction but without alignment, calling for a 'big arrow' approach to unify efforts.

Matt Hensel

A local resident who described The Dalles as a kind of crossroads, a place where ideas, cultures and creative energy meet.

Mary Jayne Heiser

A downtown service industry worker who emphasized the community's friendliness and the increasing liveliness of the downtown area in recent years.

George Robertson

A resident who sees The Dalles as 'a cowboy town on the brink of rediscovering itself,' pointing to its historic assets that remain underutilized.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know what our identity is.”

— Jill Amery, Urban Renewal Board Member

“A lot of us are going the same direction but we aren't working together.”

— Kristen Lillvik

“It really is like a meeting place. It's sort of like a microcosm... a little bit of everything. It's not any one direction.”

— Matt Hensel

“It's just the type of place where everybody is really friendly. You can make conversation with anybody.”

— Mary Jayne Heiser, Downtown Service Industry Worker

“It's a cowboy town on the brink of rediscovering itself.”

— George Robertson

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.