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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us January 28, 2006 Urban renewal agency considers parcel’s future Land between Highway 99 and Talent Avenue scrutinized by consultants By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings TALENT — Devising how the swath of land between Highway 99 and the heart of downtown will develop over time is the latest project in this growing town. Fregonese Calthorpe, a Portland-based consulting firm, will present the preliminary results of its research to the Talent Urban Renewal Agency on at 6 p.m. Monday. The meeting will be held at the Talent Community Center, 206 E. Main St. The West Valley View Road master plan will outline where future streets and alleyways could be built in the two mammoth blocks that side up against West Valley View Road between Talent Avenue and South Pacific Highway (Highway 99). The north block starts at New Street, near Umpqua Bank; the south block ends at Gangnes Street. “It’s a mid-project update to find out what the consultants have learned to date and kind of the direction they’re headed in,” said Marla Cates, executive director of the urban renewal agency. “We’re anxious to hear what their impressions are at this point.” The purpose of the street network project is to improve transportation opportunities, enhance the downtown area and plan for appropriate development, according to Cates. The plan will incorporate alleyways, pedestrian access and shared parking options, as well as identify appropriate retail, commercial and residential uses. Consultants have already met with property and business owners in the area. Earlier in the day Monday, they will talk with police and fire officials, along with representatives from the planning commission and chamber of commerce. The consultants will host an urban design workshop on Feb. 28 to allow the community to develop a vision for how the West Valley View area could look and function in the future. The designs will tie the two mammoth blocks into the downtown core area and include street plans and potential streetscapes. “At this point we don’t know if one of the concepts they’re bringing on Monday will be what they bring to that meeting on the 28th,” Cates said, describing the work as a “multi-phased, multi-step process.” Discussion about creating a master plan for the area began with community meetings back in February and April of 2004 to gauge the support from property owners and residents. People found the project beneficial, according to Cates. The urban renewal agency contracted Fregonese Calthorpe to complete background research and facilitate the public process. One of the consultants working on the project is former Ashland City Planner John Fregonese, whose familiarity with the area will aid work, Cates said. Talent City Manager Betty Wheeler and City Planner John Adam are also heavily involved in the master planning process. For more information, contact Cates at 535-6170. Staff writer Jennifer Squires can be reached at 482-3456 x 225 or [email protected]. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams