Lincoln City was one of the first to use Urban Renewal in Oregon. The Year 2000 Development Plan, was approved by City Council in 1988. This Plan touched all neighborhoods of Lincoln City, seeking to improve and highlight Lincoln City's "String of Pearls."  The Year 2000 Development Plan Area dissolved in 2021. A summary of the projects can be found in the Urban Renewal - 32 Years of Achievements

 What is Lincoln City's "String of Pearls"?

"String of Pearls" refers to the 6 historic business districts that comprise the seven-mile stretch of Lincoln City that is connected by Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast. These districts are Wecoma Beach, OceanLake, DeLake, Nelscott, Taft and Cutler City. Tourism has become the primary economic foundation following the decline of the timber, fishing and dairy industries.

The Lincoln City Urban Renewal Agency determined that revitalization plans, or community vision plans, should be prepared for each of the City's Pearls. The Taft Redevelopment Plan was completed in 1999, followed by OceanLake in 2001, Nelscott in 2006 and Cutler City in 2008. The process of creating these vision plans relied upon intense public involvement and outreach programs, which began with a week-long project kick-off period of numerous design workshops, community walks, interviews and focus groups. The community outreach programs also included follow-up public workshops, project information centers located in local businesses, project websites, newsletters and the development of district logos.

While the vision process for the Taft and OceanLake Districts were consultant-led, the Nelscott and Cutler City vision plans were conducted by pro-bono design teams. The design teams included national experts in downtown revitalization and economic development, as well as local and regional professionals who knew the area's history, people and possibilities. The synergy resulting from these teams led to the development of a high level of trust and comfort to local citizens and decision-makers, as well as state agencies, the media, local businesses and civic groups - thus partnerships were nurtured and ownership in the planning process was instilled.

Some final projects for this Urban Renewal Area include the recently completed BayWalk Sidewalk Section along Highway 101 and the Siletz Bay, between Taft and Cutler City, and a Bay Access connection which will provide a safer route for pedestrians from the Highway 101 Schooner Point Turnout onto the shore of the bay. The Urban Renewal Agency also owns properties for future redevelopment, either through partnership or for public improvements such as roads, utilities, or parks. Market conditions and funding drive the timing for these projects.

Learn more about the history of these districts on our Local History page.