In 1973, the president of Oregon State University and the president of the Corvallis Chamber of Commerce advanced the idea of a pedestrian connection between OSU, downtown Corvallis and the Willamette River. Madison Avenue was the logical route, since it is one of Corvallis' major shopping streets that also goes past City Hall, Central Park, The Arts Center and connects to the OSU entry gates at 11th Street. A path from the gates leads up to the University's first building, Benton Hall (built in 1889). This route was the traditional connection between the town and the college from the 1890's through the 1950's.

A contest was proposed to generate design ideas and publicize the project. A group of civic leaders, architects, students, residents, neighbors and business owners volunteered to judge the contest. This group evolved into the Madison Avenue Task Force, which began to implement some of the ideas. Steady progress followed, guided by the mission: To create a place for people in the heart of Corvallis.

In 1979, the space in front of The Arts Center was re-designed to create a plaza that has become one of the prime outdoor meeting spaces in the city. This pedestrian-friendly space is the site for a variety of activities including the Annual Spring Garden Festival sponsored by the Madison Avenue Task Force.

MATF Bulb Sale Soon!!

Plan to visit us at our Annual Bulb Sale during the Fall Festival September 25-26.

For more information CLICK HERE

Each year, volunteers from the Madison Avenue Task Force sponsor a Bulb Sale during the Corvallis Fall Festival. The sale is an opporrtunity for local gardeners to find beautiful bulbs (sometimes rare and unusual) for that special place in their gardens. Proceeds from the sale are re-invested in the community through the various beautification and enhancement projects that MATF sponsors.