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SATURDAY February 28, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels January 15, 2004 A new look for the creek? By Bill Choy Ashland Daily Tidings A proposed three-story building at 88 North Main Street, which could include an art park and improvements to the walkway along Ashland Creek, is in the planning stages. The new building would be located next to the Ashland Creek Bar & Grill and be located where the large back deck of the business is now located. A large alder tree would have to be removed in the process. The buildings along north main street would get a larger neighbor (drawing at top) if developer Lloyd Haines gets approval from the city. Satsuki Doi | Ashland Daily Tidings The 8,325-square-foot building includes space for a restaurant, office and retail space, and two residential units on the third floor. Developer and applicant Lloyd Haines said while it's upsetting to him to remove the tree, he plans to have it made into a sculpture to be placed at the site, and for the remaining wood to be made as benches located in a proposed art park near the building. He plans to have Russell Beebe, a local artist, create the sculpture and furniture. Haines said an arborist has gone to the property to see if the tree could be saved. But due to deep roots, it was discovered if the building was built 20 feet from the tree, it would still die. Haines said the sculpture could be located on Main Street, or at the proposed art park. One or more trees will be planted to supplement the canopy space lost when the Alder Tree is cut down, Haines said. "It's unfortunate," he said. "But we're proposing a beautiful sculpture to replace the tree." The Ashland Tree Commission heard the proposal at its recent meeting and found taking down the tree does meet city ordinance standards on the matter. Tree Commission member Bryan Holley said Haines seemed to "really lament the loss of the tree." Holley said the commission looked at the issue very carefully before making a decision and said it's always difficult when a healthy tree like this is involved. "This represents values dependent on the rights of the property owner and of the community," he said. "We have a friend in that tree. It's one of those trees that you won't notice until it's gone," While the new building will take out Ashland Creek's deck, bar owner Peter Hunkele said it shouldn't affect business too substantially. While bands did play on the deck before, they haven't for nearly a year, he said. Bands now perform inside the establishment. Since the building, of which Haines is a co-owner, was sold last year, there have been rumors circulating in the community that the restaurant may close, which Hunkele said is not the case. "It will stay open," he said. "It basically will be run the way it is now." The building plan was supposed to be heard by the planning commission on Tuesday, but was postponed so city staff could take a closer look at the building's location and building plans since it's located within the flood plain of Ashland Creek, said Bill Molnar, senior planner for the planning department. The Historic Commission approved the application and moved it to the planning commission at its Jan. 7 meeting. Haines said what really excites him about the project is a new walkway, the "Ashland Creek walk," which he proposes to have behind the building. The new walkway would start on North Main Street and go down toward the creek and under the viaduct and connect with Bluebird Park. The new walkway would traverse the proposed art park and connect with the pathway along Ashland Creek that winds through Bluebird Park and ends at Main Street. Currently, most of that area is concrete under the viaduct. He envisions it being like the river walk found in San Antonio. Haines plans for it to be a vibrant location that will add to the downtown area, he said, "This could be such a great space," he said "My desire is to clean it up." Since the property under the viaduct is owned by the state, the city has the right to use it. Haines hopes to work with the city and parks commission on the project. He has offered to finance the sculpture, benches, lighting and some of the landscaping. To confirm with design standards, the new building will have a turn-of-the-century design which will blend in with the rest of the downtown buildings and meet downtown standards, Haines said. "It's aesthetically pleasing," he said. While it's "always a challenge" to get a property approved in Ashland, Haines said he's fairly confident there will be no major objections from the public or the city to approve the plan. "We have followed the variances to a T," he said. "We're just trying to be good citizens and create a beautiful building," and surrounding area. 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