Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... FORMER TEEN CENTER Parks hopes to expand use of The Grove Comment By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 11:01 PM Updated Feb 17, 2015 at 5:52 PM By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 11:01 PM Updated Feb 17, 2015 at 5:52 PM » Social News A long under-utilized Ashland city building would be re-purposed as a front-counter office space and education center for the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department, under a proposal presented last week to the city's parks commission. Parks Director Michael Black said The Grove, a 10,000-square-foot former teen center across Main Street from the Ashland Police Department, could provide the parks department with much-needed front-counter space for customer service. The department is already using the building — which has a multi-purpose room and several classrooms — for some adapted programs for people with developmental, intellectual or physical disabilities. Under Black's proposal, the department would move more of its senior classes into the building, along with increasing the office staff stationed there. He and city Administrator Dave Kanner said Tuesday the public image of the parks department, with its main offices at 340 S. Pioneer St. in Lithia Park and some staff members in offices at other locations, would benefit from having a dedicated space. Black said the Parks and Recreation Department is already paying $45,000 a year out of its budget for maintenance on The Grove, while its own staff are still based the Lithia Park offices. (Feb. 17: This paragraph has been changed to correct the location of current Parks Department offices.) "What we'd like to do is move them all (to The Grove) so they can all work together," Black said. Also proposed was renting out more of the unused space for use by the public. The Grove teen shelter operated until 2003, when it closed because of budget issues. The building, which was purchased by the city with the help of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was previously considered as a new home for the police department and as a treatment center for juvenile offenders and at-risk youth. It's also gotten the nod as a possible emergency shelter. "It's always been out there as something that's undefined," Black said. City staff members are expected to draw up a formal agreement for expanded use of The Grove by the department. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected]. Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty. By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Thomas Moriarty Ashland Daily Tidings Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 11:01 PM Updated Feb 17, 2015 at 5:52 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501