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 Oregon Arts Summit coming to Ashland ... Herb Rothschild: A year of conversation ... Quake warning system tested for Northwest ... Oregon Arts Summit coming to Ashland ... Herb Rothschild: A year of conversation ... Quake warning system tested for Northwest ... LOCAL TAKE: PLAZA REMODELING What do you think of the changes on the Plaza? Comment By John Darling For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Aug. 25, 2014 at 6:55 PM Updated Aug 27, 2014 at 7:49 AM By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Aug. 25, 2014 at 6:55 PM Updated Aug 27, 2014 at 7:49 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over • Will plastic bag ban affect you? • Trying to get a handle on panhandling » Social News What's Happened Already Ashland’s Plaza's most recent big makeover was completed in the spring of 2013. Some townsfolk objected to the newly installed expanse of gray pavers, noting they are dark, unattractive and made it hot. Old trees were transplanted or died, some likely from root-cutting in construction. Emotions ran high and still do. What’s Happening Now The Ashland Downtown Beautification Committee was formed to identify and prioritize improvements projects with a focus on the downtown. The projects will be paid for with city hotel tax revenue. The committee recommended additional Plaza fixes costing $30,000, including replacing some of the dark gray pavers with decorative pavers and adding planters, landscaping and decorative fencing to keep people from trampling the landscaping. (Correction: These summaries have been updated to clarify details.) What’s Next The committee is due to presents the plan to the city council at its Sept. 2 meeting. The committee didn’t mention adding tables and chairs. Some council members argue for the furniture but others oppose it, on grounds it would invite vandalism and mis-use at night. If approved the changes would be done by June 2015. Alice Mallory I’d like to see something happen here but at a reasonable price. It needs a less urban look. Ashland is a small town and it should fit in with the rest of the architectural beauty of the town. I’d like to see more color. There’s no shade and it’s too hot here. That’s why you see no people here now. McKinley Ropers (Remodeling) sounds good. I didn’t have a problem with it in the first place, before the remodel. It’s kind of boring now. It would be nice to have something different to make it nicer. Adam Good Ashland is a unique place and adding some color would make it pop and make Ashland more unique. The $30,000 is a lot of money but we’re still in a tough economy so it will supply jobs in Ashland and bring more attraction to the downtown area. The Plaza looks dull and could use more color. Alex Neville It looks ok now. I don’t think we need to spend another $30,000 on it. It’s dumping money into something that’s not helping the city too much. What it looks like now is there’s a giant dead tree standing in the middle of it. And you’ve got so many trucks just using it as a loading dock all day. Councilman Greg Lemhouse The Plaza looks much better than what it was. A year ago, there was little seating, the grass had died and wouldn’t grow back in places, a tree was dying. It was very dilapidated. ...The funding comes from the Transitory Occupation Tax (on rooms) and must be used on tourism-related projects that ... increase visibility and enhance tourism By John Darling For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Aug. 25, 2014 at 6:55 PM Updated Aug 27, 2014 at 7:49 AM » 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