Sherwood City Council Work Session - October 6, 2026

The City of Sherwood City Council held a work session on October 6, 2026, covering the Old Town Site D concept and a proposed commercial police fee. Consultants presented preliminary design and feasibility concepts for a flexible food and market hall near the Center for the Arts, with possible vendor spaces, a shared kitchen, and a 2,300-square-foot mezzanine for events or community uses. The financial consultant said preliminary analysis suggested the ground-floor operation could generate positive cash flow under a modeled 25-year financing scenario; the mezzanine may be less revenue-generating and require further analysis. Council feedback included exploring a third-floor or rooftop option, connections to the arts center, all-sided building design, public art, parking impacts, and naming. No construction award, budget allocation, or procurement vote was made; staff and consultants will continue feasibility work and operator outreach.

On the commercial police fee, council discussed concerns about business awareness, lease-based cost allocation, and whether the fee structure is equitable. Staff outlined outreach options including letters to businesses, a dedicated webpage and fee calculator, and daytime and evening listening sessions. Council generally supported further business outreach on the commercial fee and separately exploring the cost and approach for community polling on a possible citywide fee or levy; members favored addressing the commercial process first rather than delaying it for a broader effort. No fee was adopted. Polling cost estimates were discussed but not confirmed, including an earlier estimate of about $25,000 and a possible initial round in the $4,000–$5,000 range.