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May 14 , 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels January 24, 2004 Council listened to residents on Bemis project Perhaps it was somewhat of a surprise that the city council voted to deny the Bemis project, a large, four-story condominium proposed for the parking lot behind the Ashland Springs Hotel. Days before the vote, many were grumbling that it was "a done deal." To the council's credit, nothing was predetermined. The public forum spilled into a second day. Whether any councilor's vote was changed, only they know. But clearly the public got a voice and in the end, the will of many people won the day. And that's the one thing we can enthusiastically support. The process worked here, and people do get a say. The more that happens, regardless of the outcome, the better. Whether the war is in fact won remains to be seen. An appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals is likely. Perhaps other machinations are in the works behind the scenes. For now, however, it's stalled. For many, especially those who say the large building was out of character for the downtown, the vote was a thrilling victory. Many were upset that the plans were submitted four days before a new ordinance would make the building too big. But the issue isn't as clear cut as local interest vs. big business. The developers were local people who garnered the support of neighboring businesses. For some who advocate smart growth concepts and infill of downtown brownscapes, the project was appealing. Cities all across the country are facing a perplexing dilemma: If you don't build up in the city's core, the building flies outward in surrounding farm land. Perhaps Ashland can stop both, but with the rising price of real estate and the lucrative retail and residential potential, more projects are sure to come. Quite likely few will pick a spot with no existing trees being felled and a larger building already obscuring views. All of which made the decision a bit more dicey for the council. The economic impact of the project, the desirability of the infill and the location being surrounded by the city's largest buildings made the Bemis project less of a monstrosity than many opponents suggested. Yet the fact remains the council listened to the concerns of many of its residents. Like most issues, it was divided, just as the city itself is. But the decision-makers listened and voted their consciences and it's hard not to support that. If the Bemis project is never built it likely won't harm the downtown. Probably something else will be crafted and come about in its place, and that may be fine too, just as this project was probably not the devil many wanted us to believe it was. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams