Bend’s Central District on Second Street will get a jump on revitalization when the Pine Shed is placed on its new foundation.

The former mill mechanic repair shop, which was preserved and moved 1.5 miles from its previous location on SW Industrial Way last year, has been sitting on wooden pallets waiting for a permanent foundation. That should happen by the end of the month.

The Pine Shed was the previous home of Spoken Moto, a coffee and alcoholic beverage hangout. Moving the Pine Shed to its new home is a nod to Bend’s timber past and an acknowledgment toward the area’s future revitalization. The Catalyst, a food and entertainment hub on Second Street, is being developed by Petrich Properties owner Kurt Alexander.

The Catalyst is seen by some businesses as a component bringing energy to the city’s vision of a second downtown: a gathering place for the community and the future home of Bend city government.

The city also has plans to build a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks and U.S. Highway 97 to connect north and south Bend via Hawthorne Avenue.

Doug and Phoebe Pedersen, owners of The Dogwood Cocktail Cabin, which had been open on NW Minnesota Avenue for about a decade, are excited about becoming the next occupant of the Pine Shed.

“This will be our fourth business and our third Dogwood,” Doug Pedersen said. “Our lease was up on NW Minnesota and we thought about maybe doing something different. This is the perfect opportunity to re-envision the Dogwood.”

The Pedersens know the area well because they own the Canteen Bar operating out of the Campfire Hotel on Third Street.

“We are familiar with things the city is proposing for the area,” Doug Pedersen said. “We thought, ‘what a neat building.’ The bridge was a big selling point for us. So was being a part of something new and eclectic and artsy. That fits our model.”

The Dogwood at the Pine Shed will feature a large bar where bartenders will serve craft cocktails. It will be open late nights. Unlike the one on NW Minnesota Avenue, food will come from the food carts selected by the developer, Pedersen said.

“We envision that when you arrive at The Catalyst you’ll order your food and bring it with you into the bar,” Doug Pedersen said. “It’s a different vision of the Dogwood. We’ll be featuring some amazing new art pieces that have been custom made for us. The high ceilings and eclectic lighting will be the standout visually. It will be a work of art.”

Pine Shed’s past

Initially, the developer has planned to work out an agreement for the owners of Spoken Motto, a coffee and alcoholic beverage restaurant, to move its business in the Pine Shed. But the company and the developers couldn’t reach an agreement on lease terms. That’s when Alexander turned to the Dogwood and moved ahead with plans for the area.

Bend’s Spoken Moto is moving to help anchor a new, vibrant city center

With a grant from Visit Bend’s Sustainability Fund, Alexander moved the Pine Shed after learning it was slated for demolition at its old location to make way for a 315-unit residential and retail development.

Alexander has selected Barrio/Shim-Shon to anchor the food truck pods that could include the ‘Witch Doctor, SOPA Mexican Food Truck and a Dominican food truck.

315-unit development proposed next to Box Factory in Bend

Once established, Alexander hopes that the project, which includes an open area that can be used for permitted community events, will spark more development in the area. Events could include a farmer’s market, music, and possibly a street fair, all approved by the city, Alexander said.

Businesses already there, like the Oregon Spirit Distillers, Somewhere That’s Green and Open Space all add to the flavor of the area, Alexander said.

“These businesses have a genuine soul to them, an artist’s soul, that’s missing in the community,” Alexander said. “You can see it by the people that come out. People are bursting at the seems to have the area of the city that’s for locals and artists, an area that feels genuine and real and down to earth.”

Future looks bright

The rear of the Campfire Hotel backs onto Second Street where homeless tents sometimes pop up, said Daniel Elder, the Campfire Hotel general manager.

But that scene could change with more businesses coming into the area and the city moving its City Hall and offices to Second Street, Elder said.

“The future for the Bend Central District is bright and incredibly promising,” Elder said. “I can’t wait to see it take shape in the coming years. The neighborhood is moving in a direction that’s positive for our business.

“The possibilities are endless.”

Brad Irwin and his wife Kathy Irwin have had their business, Oregon Spirit Distillers, on Second Street for about eight years. They’ve had to adjust their hours because they couldn’t draw enough business during the evening hours to support a restaurant and tap room.

“We’re excited to have a neighbor, especially one that’s open in the evenings,” Brad Irwin said. “We really think an open sign on a Friday night will help the area. All you need is a couple different businesses open at the same time to deter any negative energy and encourage business.”

John Kish, owner of the plant shop Somewhere That’s Green, sees the construction of the Pine Shed as sign that the area is on its way toward becoming a destination with food options. Ultimately, wider sidewalks, crosswalks and more street lighting will only enhance the area, Kish said.

But until the city removes the Greenwood Avenue divider and more pedestrians can access the streets, businesses on the north side of Greenwood won’t see much improvement in foot traffic because The Catalyst is completed, Kish said.

“But any forward rehabilitation to the Bend Central District is very good and heavily supported,” Kish said. “The Catalyst is another great addition to the growth of the Bend Central District.”