Here it is! It would be DT if it happens, and hopefully it does because it could do wonders for that corner.
Parkade could be transformed
Classroom space could be built on top of structure
BY JUSTIN MUCH • STATESMAN JOURNAL
May 7, 2008
During his 2007-08 school year State of the University Address, Western Oregon University President John Minahan suggested that the school needed a stronger presence in Salem.
What wasn't clear was the proximity of that presence.
If plans and ambitions unfold without a hitch, downtown Salem will see Marion Parkade transformed into a midrise building, complete with apartments, office and classroom space, by September 2009. Much of that new space is earmarked for WOU's Salem presence.
"It's an aggressive timetable and goal, but not unachievable," said WOU's Vice President for Finance and Administration Mark Weiss.
Weiss was clear that procedures endemic to this strategy are in their conceptual stages.
He said initial plans for the ancillary campus site included facilities for international and possibly nursing students along with a master's program for teachers. The school has seen a growth in international registration in recent years while it's fledgling nursing program begins this September.
An initial stage to the process occurred April 28, when Salem City Council voted unanimously to enter into exclusive negotiations with Kevin Lafky's group, Marion Park LLC.
Lafky and his wife, Ida, said they envisioned three key results in the project's first phase: space for WOU class, housing and offices; medium price range work force housing; budgetary benefits to the city as Marion Park assumes operating costs and provides needed seismic upgrades. Kevin Lafky estimated operational costs to be a half-million dollars annually, while upcoming necessary upgrades cost about $1.5 million.
"It sounds exciting. At least we can get into it and see if it's going to work," Salem Mayor Janet Taylor said.
"I'm positive it will," Lafky replied.
The Lafkys said discussion of the project had its roots Minahan's vision of giving the university a stronger presence in Salem.
School officials inquired about possibilities with Lafky's "The Rivers" project, an eight-story building with 24 condominiums under construction at NE Front Street.
Space with that project was not conducive to the university's needs, but Lafky requested an opportunity to develop other more suitable plans.
The first phase of the project is estimated to cost between $12 million and $15 million.
The school would lease much of the constructed space for a "mini campus," housing units and office space, primarily to serve international students.
The new spaces would be constructed on top of the current parking structure, while parking at the under-used garage would remain available.
The garage currently has 1,100 parking spaces. Lafky said contractual obligation requires that 600 spaces remain available.
Salem City Councilor TJ Sullivan asked about the effect on parking: Lafky said from initial estimates, he doesn't expect more than a net loss of 50 spaces.
The Lafkys' partner, Matt Sloan, drafted and completed a similar project in Portland's Pearl District, where he added five stories on top of a 1908 six-story structure. Sloan indicated that project, North Park Lofts at NW Eighth and Everett streets, posed more potential difficulty because of the age of the original structure.
The Marion Parkade was built in 1987.
jmuch@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6736
WHAT'S NEXT
-The Exclusive Negotiation Agreement allows the city to negotiate with Marion Park LLC regarding the transfer of the Marion Parkade and provides Urban Renewal Area funds to analyze the feasibility of the project and negotiate a Disposition and Development Agreement.
-Specific terms, including permit requirements and outreach strategy, are to be completed in the coming weeks.
- Development plans call for construction to begin by fall. Initial goals cite space to be available for WOU by fall 2009.
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps...805070327/1117