‘We are excited to make this vision a reality for our community’

OREGON — The City of Oregon is working to bring a new outdoor space to its community.

The Sarah Phelps Community Plaza will be located at the Old Harvard Bank Drive Up location at 5th and Washington Streets. Phase one of the project was the public restroom. The plaza is phase two.

“We will be using a combination of donated funds, grants funds, and ARPA funds to complete this project,” a city Facebook post said. “We are working with our Tree Board, as well as the individuals who have donated to the project, to recommend shade trees and other green space here. There will be tables outside and the interior of the building can be used for food services for events. We are excited to make this vision a reality for our community.”

The former drive up was purchased in December 2017. The family restroom was installed in July 2018. The city hopes to begin renovations as soon as the bid process ends, which could be as soon as April.

The plaza’s interior will include “highly-flexible open space” and the building will have a sink and refrigerator. It will be used by the public for events such as: the Lions pork chop lunch, First Friday music events and citizen block parties.

They key elements of the exterior of the plaza will include open space, a “welcoming oasis,” acting as an “anchor to downtown” and green space. Officials hope the project will help with tourism.

Phelps was the wide of the founder of Oregon and the project’s committee felt it was important to recognize her.