Congressman Kurt Schrader today applauded a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) Our Town grant program for Main Street Oregon City. The grant will support the commission of a work of public light art that will activate and enhance the Oregon City Municipal Elevator.

"For almost one hundred years since its original construction, the 'vertical street' that is the Oregon City Municipal Elevator has served as a monument of pride and tradition for the residents of Oregon City," Schrader said. "I am proud the city was able to secure this grant to help rejuvenate Main Street and promote the small businesses serving the area."

Our Town matching grants support communities that are using the arts to revitalize neighborhoods and stimulate local economies. These projects implement arts engagement, plan and design activities that will assist communities in improving their quality of life, encourage creative activity and create community identity.

The current Oregon City Municipal Elevator, built in 1954-55, is the only outdoor municipal elevator in the United States and continues to operate as one of only four municipal elevators in the world.