Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels August 24, 2004 National publications keep talking about Ashland By Emily Morris Tidings Correspondent Does Ashland have too much of a good thing? It may be one of the best places to retire, but it can be a difficult place to live. Theaters and art galleries are wonderful, but for a small town trying to retain a tight-knit community feel, these cultural bonuses that attract tourists and publicity can be self-defeating. Sunday's Travel section of "The Washington Post" featured yet another high-profile portrayal of Ashland, "For the soul who equally embraces the pleasure of mind and body, Ashland is like a dream," wrote Post staff writer Cindy Loose. Community members agree, but that dream is too expensive for more than 90 percent of the city's workers, said Fred Evans, a board member of the Ashland Community Land Trust, a nonprofit organization working to increase affordability in Ashland. "We're a community for rich people, that's it," Evans stated. The community is aging, one of the school district's five elementary schools recently shut down because of declining enrollment, and another appears to be going that route. A rising cost of living forces families to move to cheaper areas. The average cost of a house in Ashland recently surpassed $300,000, said local real estate agent Eric Poole. That's not exactly affordable housing for secretaries, young teachers and blue-collar workers. Affordable housing is defined as costing less than 30 percent of household income. Ashland received low scores for providing affordable housing, from Oregon Progress Board 2003 Benchmark Performance Report. "People come here to visit - they see it is cute, expensive, but so what? They're from the Bay Area," Poole said. Ashland's problem done not stem entirely from retirees finding it desirable, though it contributes. Maintaining small-town charm is a double-edged sword. To stem rapid growth, Ashland has implemented strict policies regarding construction and building. Oregon's policy of trying to limit growth outside city limits requires cities to absorb the influx, said City Councilor Don Laws. Urban growth policies automatically drive up property values. Ashland has maintained a relatively slow but steady growth over the past 20 years, said Laws. "What we've done successfully is to make developers think it's the hardest city to build in," Laws said, referring to the bureaucratic process the city requires of prospective builders. "But if there is limited growth, rich people are going to win the bid." Poole and Laws agree Ashland has lost its economic diversity, but solutions can be difficult. The city has implemented an affordable housing plan, and just last week voted to fast track an affordable housing construction project on Lithia Way. Laws suggested another solution could be limiting the construction of single-family homes in multi-family zones. Bill Street, an Ashland resident for the past 18 years, is concerned by the changes taking place in the city. "There is too much pressure on the city and too much money flowing in," Street said. Street said community members need to brainstorm and find creative ways to preserve their community. He said the city should look at other communities' affordable housing projects; such as Jackson, Wyo., where the city constructed affordable housing across from the elementary school. Mary Pat Parker, tourism and marketing manager of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, cautions that Ashland's gentrification is a highly complicated issue, not solely the result of positive publicity and tourism. "People frustrated with visitors are enjoying the cultural amenities they come for," Parker said. "In the '80s, there were boarded up storefronts, I don't think we want that again." Ashland real estate continues to rise steadily, proven to be a solid investment but with unfortunate consequences for the city. "The articles don't help at all, but what really contributes are our own policies. ... It is the dilemma of slow growth vs. affordable housing," Laws said. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams