A Few Minutes with the Mayor – September 2025

THE PURCHASE AND RENOVATION of the historic U.S. Hotel by the BRITT Music & Arts Festival organization has seen great local interest and much conjecture. In the coming months, you will see the changes that accompany the renovation of a historic building. These will take form in the addition of an elevator, ADA compliance measures, historic renovation, and general updating and remodeling. You will also see a Britt Music & Arts Festival presence in Jacksonville daily.

As a significant town on the National Register of Historic Places, Jacksonville always has a focus on preserving its historic structures. We also focus on maintaining the cultural, economic, health, and vitality of our citizens and businesses.

The BRITT organization’s decision to take on the project of bringing the U.S. Hotel back to life is good news for both BRITT and the historical legacy of Jacksonville. I can’t say enough about how much of an impact the renovation of the U.S. Hotel means in the context of preserving such an important historical building. It is a tragedy when a building sits empty. It appears dead and empty of life, abandoned to ghosts of the past. While the first floor of the building was rented out in recent years, the upstairs sections sat abandoned and forgotten. Many of us remember enjoyable community and social events held in the Ballroom. The creaky staircase chair elevator is a scary and fond memory for many!

For BRITT, a home and place to conduct their daily affairs, in the town where they host performances, is of great value. The ease of doing business without constant travel back and forth to an office outside of town is, without a doubt, less stressful. Having enough space to house their employees and visitors is essential for them. Having a presence in Jacksonville will help keep a finger on the pulse of what is, or isn’t, crucial in their planning process. The size of the U.S. Hotel building will enable BRITT to offer a variety of options in interaction with folks looking to purchase BRITT tickets, memberships, and souvenirs. Smaller concerts in the upstairs ballroom, such as the Jacksonville Oregon Friends of Classical Music Series, will be beneficial during the winter months. There is room for classroom settings to accommodate students of many disciplines, or as a rehearsal space. The possibilities are endless!

The economic and social benefits to both BRITT and Jacksonville include the attraction of visitors, which stimulates the growth of tourism and other businesses. Visitors spend money on food, lodging, and shopping. Festivals, such as the BRITT, can provide free marketing and advertising for local businesses as visitors talk about their experiences when they return home. If they post comments and photos, that is free advertising. The economic benefits of successful festivals ripple throughout a local economy, affecting tourism and non-tourism-related businesses alike.

To me, this is a win-win situation for both the BRITT and Jacksonville. BRITT has an opportunity to enlarge its presence and its program base. The City of Jacksonville benefits from the successful renovation and preservation of an important historical structure. We look forward to this new chapter of partnering with the BRITT Festival.

A couple of timely safety notes: School is back in session. Please be aware of our youngsters who are walking or riding their bikes to school. The 20-mph speed limit in school zones is in effect. Also, we are still in fire season, so continue to observe our usual fire season safety measures while you enjoy our late summer and early fall. Hopefully, cooler weather is just around the corner, and we look forward to some brisk days!