Restaurant row to expand

Matching grant is anticipated to add another space for Beaverton's growing restaurant region.

Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, announced Tuesday that the Beaverton Downtown Association has received a matching grant of $100,000 to revitalize the historic Beaverton Masonic Temple.

The project will convert the first floor of the two-story building, at 4690 S.W. Watson Ave., into a restaurant. This grant funding will be used to upgrade the space to be ready for a restaurant to lease the space with planned outdoor seating. The Masons will continue to use the second floor for membership-related activities.

"This is an exciting step forward for our downtown association," Mayor Denny Doyle said. "On behalf of the Beaverton City Council and myself, let me say how proud we are of this group for competing and winning this grant. What a huge win for our city."

The Beaverton Masonic Temple project is part of the city's recently completed restaurant strategy, which identifies key steps toward helping downtown Beaverton become the premier restaurant destination of the westside. The strategy focuses in part on Beaverton's developing restaurant row on and around Southwest Watson Avenue.

The restaurant strategy builds on the city's Beaverton Community Vision and other plans to make downtown Beaverton a destination for retail, entertainment, and dining.

The Beaverton Downtown Association is among 28 matching grant recipients across the state from Oregon Heritage. Projects range from façade improvement to seismic upgrades and elevator access. Awards range from $17,500 to $100,000.The association is dedicated to promoting the preservation, history, culture, architecture and public use of Beaverton's traditional downtown area. The City of Beaverton provides technical assistance, training and funding to the organization.

For more information, visit BeavertonOregon.gov.