Medford, OR. — The Medford City Council on Wednesday approved the formation of an Economic Improvement District (EID) in partnership with the Downtown Medford Association (DMA), marking a significant step in ongoing downtown revitalization efforts.
The newly established district covers properties between Bear Creek and Oakdale Avenue, and from Sixth to Eighth streets. It introduces a two-tier fee structure, charging $0.10 per square foot for most properties and a reduced $0.075 rate for nonprofit and government-owned parcels.
Revenue generated through the EID will be allocated toward a range of initiatives, with 60% dedicated to development, beautification, and activation projects. An additional 28% will support advocacy efforts, while 12% will fund administration, contingency, and collection costs. Planned services may include landscaping improvements, event and business support, grant writing, and coordination with partner organizations.
The Council’s decision followed a required 30-day public notice period and a public hearing, where property owners and stakeholders provided feedback. The City received 26 letters of support, including 18 from property owners, and six letters opposing the measure. Opposition among property owners rose slightly from 10% to 11% following the hearing, remaining well below the 33% threshold required to halt the proposal.
Supporters argued the EID will help drive economic activity, enhance the downtown environment, and position Medford to better compete with other Oregon cities. However, opponents raised concerns about the financial burden on small businesses, potential overlap with existing City services, and uncertainty about direct returns for property owners.
The EID initiative builds on prior City support for downtown revitalization. Between 2022 and 2025, the City allocated $350,000 from its Council Community Initiative Fund to support DMA-led efforts. The Council formally initiated the EID process in October 2025, adopted a final plan in January 2026, and completed the process with this week’s approval following public input.
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