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The Concord launches Work begins on first major housing project in downtown Medford in recent memory Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Demolition of the old Bonsai restaurant in downtown Medford began Monday to make way for a new $12.5 million, low-income housing project behind the Mail Tribune. “We get calls all the time asking when it’s going to be done,” said Andrea Miranda, project developer for the Housing Authority of Jackson County. She said the Housing Authority won’t have any problems filling the units with residents, because demand for low-income housing exceeds supply. “When we announce we have a project opening, we have a line around the building,” Miranda said. The units will provide homes for the disabled, elderly, veterans, working families and students on a .69-acre lot immediately west of the Mail Tribune. The main portion of the building will run along Grape Street between Fifth and Sixth streets, with 50 parking spaces in the rear along an alleyway and under the building near Fifth Street. The 50-foot-tall, four-story building has been designed by Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architecture of Medford and should be completed by November 2016. Adroit Construction Co. of Ashland is the contractor for the project, known as The Concord, which will be the first major housing project in downtown Medford in recent memory. The first floor will feature a youth activity room with play equipment, as well as a media and kitchen area for gatherings. The upper three floors will have 20 one-bedroom and 30 two-bedroom apartments. Tenants will pay between $456-$494 for a one-bedroom unit, and $536-$584 for a two-bedroom unit. One of the units will be reserved for a full-time manager. A common laundry area will be available on each floor. A family of three that earns 50 percent of the area median income, or $23,850 or less, would qualify for the housing. Miranda said 13 units will be designed for persons with disabilities and will be located throughout the building. Miranda said not all residents will have vehicles, but the building will be close to work and close to bus stops and other services, including the Jackson County Health Services building. The Housing Authority obtained the Grape Street lot from the city of Medford as part of an agreement to limit the size of its Cherry Creek housing complex on Spring Street. The Housing Authority reduced the size of the Spring Street complex from 100 to 50 units and transferred 2.5 acres of the 6-acre property to the city for parkland and a buffer between the complex and Spring Street. In exchange, the city agreed to swap the commercially zoned lot downtown. Miranda said the project was delayed for about six months. Part of the reason was the cost of the project was coming in about 20 percent over budget. After working with the contractor and architect, the cost was brought down by using as little metal as possible and by finding less expensive exterior sidings. Despite the changes, Miranda said the project should still be “aesthetically pleasing.” Councilor Dick Gordon said he had reviewed the Housing Authority’s proposal for downtown Medford. “It’s a super looking project,” he said. “I think it will be a nice addition in the downtown.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 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... 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