June 23, 2020 4:30 a.m.
Members of the Roseburg City Council heard an in-depth presentation from the organization working to increase tourism in the Roseburg area, during its meeting on Monday night.
Anvil Northwest took over the contract with the City to market the area in July of last year. The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce had been the destination marketing organization for decades but city staff and councilors opted for a new direction.
Anvil General Manager and Creative Director Cam Campman said the group has been busy with developing a tourism website and social media accounts. He said a You-Tube channel may be added as well. Campman asked for direction from the City regarding the future of the Visitor’s Center near downtown. The Chamber of Commerce still has its offices in part of the building but Campman said the building needs some work if Anvil were to consider moving their tourism displays inside. He said the company has looked at other potential sites as well.
Media Specialist Dani Raines talked about media buys Anvil has made to promote Roseburg. Kristi Rifenbark said they plan to add a Pinterest account as another platform to market the area.
Campman shared a number of videos that have been produced to entice people to travel to the area as he wrapped up a nearly hour-long report. Mayor Larry Rich and councilors thanked Anvil for their efforts with a lengthy round of applause.
The Anvil tourism website is: www.experienceroseburg.com.
Councilors approved all action items on the agenda including ordinances to amend land use regulations regarding when property owners may have to add sidewalks in front of their home, and to vacate a portion of City Right-of-Way between two buildings owned by the Roseburg Rescue Mission. Bid awards were made for slurry seal and pavement overlay work projects set to take place this summer. The council also agreed to the purchase of four new patrol vehicles for the Roseburg Police Department.
The public meeting concluded at approximately 9:15 p.m. Councilors then went into an Executive Session for the semi-annual evaluation of City Manager Nikki Messenger.