How Did DBCC Come About

​In early 2025, the Young Leaders Program began exploring opportunities with state and local agencies to secure funding or a facility that could support long-term sustainability. The initial concept focused on establishing a community-serving space that could include a thrift store, food pantry, and shared community area to support Young Leaders Program operations and mission-aligned services

As part of this outreach, Young Leaders Program engaged with multiple agencies and was ultimately referred to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS). During early conversations, DAS staff introduced the organization to the Dome Building as a potential opportunity. This introduction marked a pivotal turning point. Young Leaders Program was promptly invited to tour the building and begin exploratory discussions regarding its future.

As discussions progressed, DAS clarified that while Young Leaders Program’s mission was well aligned, the scope and complexity of the Dome Building would require stewardship by a broader, community-based entity rather than a single nonprofit organization. DAS encouraged the formation of a larger coalition that could demonstrate broad community support, operational capacity, and long-term sustainability.

In response, Young Leaders Program helped convene community partners, nonprofit leaders, and stakeholders to form the Dome Building Community Coalition (DBCC). Young Leaders Program provided foundational support—both organizationally and financially—to assist with DBCC’s formation. Following its establishment, DBCC began extensive outreach and engagement efforts to raise community awareness, recruit partners, and build a shared vision for the Dome Building’s future use.

At DAS’s request, DBCC also engaged with the City of Salem to determine whether the City had an interest in acquiring or leading redevelopment of the property. City leadership indicated that the City did not intend to pursue ownership of the Dome Building and expressed general support for DBCC continuing to explore a community-based reuse approach.
Through this process, DBCC emerged as a purpose-built coalition—formed not opportunistically, but intentionally—to respond to state guidance, community needs, and the unique challenges of stewarding a historic public asset.