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Talent will celebrate grant award Wednesday By Morgan Rothborne Updated: May 31, 2022 05:56 PM A A The Malmgren building, gutted by the Ameda fire, has received a $200,000 grant from the Oregon Main Street Network. [Mail Tribune \ File Photo] City leaders will gather at noon Wednesday to celebrate a grant for the Malmgren Garage and talk about plans for downtown Talent The Malmgren Garage building, not much more than a concrete shell gutted by the Almeda fire, has been awarded a $200,000 grant for its reconstruction. The Talent Urban Renewal Agency will hold an event to celebrate the project and educate the public about its hopes that this project will be only the beginning for the downtown area’s renewal. At noon June 1, Talent Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood, state Sen. Jeff Golden, Malmgren Garage owner Bonnie Morgan, historical preservation consultant George Kramer, filmmaker CiCi Brown, and Allison French, director of Talent Maker City, will meet at 111 Talent Ave., to talk about projects and plans. The event will provide information about the grant award, upcoming revitalization efforts by the city of Talent, along with free food and beverages courtesy of Ackee Tree Bento. The Main Street Revitalization Grant was awarded by the Oregon Main Street Network, thanks in part to TURA becoming an associate member. The Oregon Main Street Network had $5 million available and split the money among 28 projects. “What a shot in the arm,” Morgan said of learning her building had been awarded the grant. Morgan first heard about the grant availability on a Zoom meeting for Talent City Council where the city’s membership in the Main Street Network was announced. Morgan said she jumped on the website for the grant the minute the city meeting was over. “The Malmgren Garage has historic significance to downtown Talent, it serves as a beacon of morale in recovery,” said Ayers-Flood. “I would say this project demonstrated that it will take many sources of funding to restore our city.” The mayor said she hopes downtown revitalization will be a collaborative effort, much like the Malmgren project, bringing together the business community with members of city hall, organizations offering grants, and individual citizens such as Bonnie Morgan. Morgan said she was especially happy about her potential new neighbor, Talent Maker City. The nonprofit offers tools and workshops for children and adults in a collaborative space focused on STEAM (science, technology, arts and mathematics) learning. “We’ve got our waders on and we’re going through,” French said of the organization’s place in the rebuilding process. The nonprofit is in escrow on a property next to the Malmgren building, but there is still work to be done. French said the group has received grant money through the American Rescue Plan and is now applying for a change of use permit for the space. While French waits, she is excited and hopeful about what Talent Maker City’s new building could offer the city. “It’s all about the excitement of being a part of the process of rebuilding downtown,” French said. Rebuilding in the wake of the fire is challenging for many, said Legarza. His organization, Healthy Sustainable Communities, has partnered with TURA to help with the revitalization effort. “Lots of folks who lost their properties were underinsured, and with construction costs going up, it’s a big risk, right?” Legarza said. For those facing a burned-out building or an empty lot, Morgan encouraged staying connected with senators, representatives, City Council, business alliances and local events to stay abreast of available help. “I’ve really been trying to pay attention to things, trying to network — pay attention locally, tell people what your needs are,” Morgan said. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected] or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.