Snowden352
03-13-2007, 07:36 PM
I thought a thread dedicated to developments in Oregon but outside Portland would be alright (I searched for one and couldn't find any).
So, to kick things off...here is the Lithia Motors Project in Medford.
Developer sheds more light on 'Commons' project
He says plans are too preliminary to know if some historic buildings will be lost or if 'green' construction methods can be used
By Meg Landers
Mail Tribune
Medford city officials and curious citizens gathered at City Hall Monday to learn about plans to transform Lithia Motors' downtown car lots into the company's new corporate headquarters.
Nearly 100 people came to the City Council Chambers to hear an overview description of the project called "The Commons." Formerly known as Middleford Commons, the downtown urban redevelopment project will fill the blocks roughly between Central and Riverside avenues and Third and Sixth streets with Lithia's 10-story corporate headquarters, residential buildings, retail stores and restaurants, a parking garage and three urban park blocks.
Lithia will begin relocating its dealerships to 120 acres on Highway 62 near the Medford airport later this year.
Mark Rivers, the Boise, Idaho, real estate developer hired by Lithia for the project, told the crowd he hopes to have historical murals and design treatments that honor Medford's past throughout the project. The plans call for demolishing the historic Littrell building, but Rivers said he envisions "a grand meadow for community gathering" to be named the Littrell Lawn.
Cathy de Wolfe, chairwoman of Medford's Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, said she was glad to hear plans to focus on Medford's history, but wondered how many historic buildings would have to be demolished.
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Rivers said there could be two or three of buildings of historical significance that might have to come down, but the final plan isn't complete.
He said the plan calls for Lithia to acquire the Southern Oregon Historical Society building, which was formerly Medford's J.C. Penney store, and restore it. Lithia now leases the building for office space. The plan also calls for restoring the U.S. Cellular building, which Lithia owns.
The presentation included renderings of an event plaza and spaces for community activities in the urban park blocks. Wendy Siporen, speaking for the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market, asked if the market could be considered for space.
Rivers said it's too early in the process to make such decisions but he expressed interest in exploring the idea of moving the market.
Scott Henselman, owner of Henselman Realty & Management, asked Rivers if he planned to work with city officials and the groups that now stage downtown activities such as the Winter Light Festival, to avoid competing with events that already exist.
"We don't want to create a conflict," said Rivers, adding that he hopes to collaborate with other outdoor venues.
Sarah Koca, Medford's parks and recreation commissioner, asked if there are plans to look into environment-friendly building techniques geared toward sustainable site planning, water efficiency, energy efficiency, and conservation of materials and resources.
Rivers said there will be opportunities to explore green building in the development process.
Medford City Councilman Al Densmore asked if there were plans to link the Bear Creek Greenway to The Commons. Rivers said he's explored that idea, and thinks Fourth Street could make a good connection.
Rivers said it was too early to provide specific answers to many of the questions, and he encouraged those with concerns to contact him and work together.
"Any good development today marries the new with the old," he said.
Rivers said Lithia is ready to start the process of submitting plans. He said one of the three park blocks, the southernmost, will probably be the first piece of the project to be built, and construction could begin this summer.
Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.
So, to kick things off...here is the Lithia Motors Project in Medford.
Developer sheds more light on 'Commons' project
He says plans are too preliminary to know if some historic buildings will be lost or if 'green' construction methods can be used
By Meg Landers
Mail Tribune
Medford city officials and curious citizens gathered at City Hall Monday to learn about plans to transform Lithia Motors' downtown car lots into the company's new corporate headquarters.
Nearly 100 people came to the City Council Chambers to hear an overview description of the project called "The Commons." Formerly known as Middleford Commons, the downtown urban redevelopment project will fill the blocks roughly between Central and Riverside avenues and Third and Sixth streets with Lithia's 10-story corporate headquarters, residential buildings, retail stores and restaurants, a parking garage and three urban park blocks.
Lithia will begin relocating its dealerships to 120 acres on Highway 62 near the Medford airport later this year.
Mark Rivers, the Boise, Idaho, real estate developer hired by Lithia for the project, told the crowd he hopes to have historical murals and design treatments that honor Medford's past throughout the project. The plans call for demolishing the historic Littrell building, but Rivers said he envisions "a grand meadow for community gathering" to be named the Littrell Lawn.
Cathy de Wolfe, chairwoman of Medford's Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, said she was glad to hear plans to focus on Medford's history, but wondered how many historic buildings would have to be demolished.
Advertisement
Rivers said there could be two or three of buildings of historical significance that might have to come down, but the final plan isn't complete.
He said the plan calls for Lithia to acquire the Southern Oregon Historical Society building, which was formerly Medford's J.C. Penney store, and restore it. Lithia now leases the building for office space. The plan also calls for restoring the U.S. Cellular building, which Lithia owns.
The presentation included renderings of an event plaza and spaces for community activities in the urban park blocks. Wendy Siporen, speaking for the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market, asked if the market could be considered for space.
Rivers said it's too early in the process to make such decisions but he expressed interest in exploring the idea of moving the market.
Scott Henselman, owner of Henselman Realty & Management, asked Rivers if he planned to work with city officials and the groups that now stage downtown activities such as the Winter Light Festival, to avoid competing with events that already exist.
"We don't want to create a conflict," said Rivers, adding that he hopes to collaborate with other outdoor venues.
Sarah Koca, Medford's parks and recreation commissioner, asked if there are plans to look into environment-friendly building techniques geared toward sustainable site planning, water efficiency, energy efficiency, and conservation of materials and resources.
Rivers said there will be opportunities to explore green building in the development process.
Medford City Councilman Al Densmore asked if there were plans to link the Bear Creek Greenway to The Commons. Rivers said he's explored that idea, and thinks Fourth Street could make a good connection.
Rivers said it was too early to provide specific answers to many of the questions, and he encouraged those with concerns to contact him and work together.
"Any good development today marries the new with the old," he said.
Rivers said Lithia is ready to start the process of submitting plans. He said one of the three park blocks, the southernmost, will probably be the first piece of the project to be built, and construction could begin this summer.
Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.
