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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us May 7, 2005 Northlight is a project worth working to pass The Northlight project on Lithia Way — being hailed (and, by some, decried) as the largest downtown project in the city’s history — is headed before the planning commission for approval Tuesday night. Without a doubt, the community as a whole should be interested in this significant new plan. Those who often oppose the changes and development of downtown are sure to be in attendance. But those committed to downtown infill, the improvement of brownspaces and the bolstering of the local economy would do well to also make their voices heard, as innovative new projects don’t come along every day. This one, more than two years in the making, could set the standard for excellence in downtown renovation. The Northlight project is in step with successful development trends across the country. Mixed-use buildings that combine modern living spaces with retail and business opportunities are a proven success. Some city and state governments offer incentives to builders who help renovate old buildings or rebuild on vacant parcels to entice downtown development. Ashland is blessed with a vibrant downtown built largely around the tourism trade. But the Northlight project would take a vacant corner lot and recreate it as part of the downtown’s business center, in the process kick-starting new, progressive downtown housing. Both will bolster the tourist industry while diversifying and strengthening the local economy. Northlight will add affordable rental units in a highly desirable place to live, along with opportunities for home ownership. Business centers will provide attractive places for some large anchor tenants and smaller professionals. A “second Main Street” will turn a street into a downtown pedestrian gathering area on weekends. One of the anchor tenants is a state-of-the-art integrative cancer center that will offer local residents prevention resources and treatment options that many other regions can only dream of. Also, the influx of even a small segment of medical professionals working downtown will only serve to bolster the economy. The remaining anchor tenant would likely be a business that would also bring more people working, living and spending downtown. The Ashland Daily Tidings has been mentioned as one of the possible tenants and while at some point we’d love to be back downtown, we have had no official talks with the developer of this, or any other, development. As a whole, the Northlight project is a tremendous addition to the downtown; one that fits perfectly with the Tidings editorial priority of promoting infill and economic growth. The developers have solicited public and city staff input. More adjustments may well be made before construction begins. But we hope city officials will adopt a position of support and cooperation from the outset, rather than seek ways to destroy this exciting, potentially historic project. 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 Free Musick Downloads Slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks Heloc Calenders 2005 Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Memory Foam Mattress tcg student loan consolidation Home Equity Loans teleconferencing W2 Forms cortisol weight loss Diamonds Paris Hilton Mesothelioma Free Home-Loan Referrals Tatoos Website Design & Marketing Student Loans African Safari Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems Helzberg Diamonds Currancy Exchange Online Casinos Community Student Loans Tatoo Poker Games Homeschooling Auto Insurance Mortgage Calculator Mailing Lists Payday Loans Click Here .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams