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Closure would aid Sabroso I would like to know why Grape Street in Medford is to be closed when it is a good way to traverse Medford both south and north? They talk of making a new street, but why can't we keep Grape to use also? -- Rose R., Medford Grape Street's closure was supposed to open up a new economic avenue in Medford. The city decided in August 1998 to vacate a 750-foot section of Grape and 220-foot section of Monroe Street. The vacation came at the request of Sabroso Co., the Medford-based business that bills itself as the world's largest producer of fruit puree, which is used in making baby foods, fruit rollups and smoothies. With more than 200 employees, Sabroso wanted the closure because it wants to expand its facilities along Grape. The expansion is supposed to allow the business to add 30 employees. Also, Sabroso President Jim Root said the street closure would improve safety for equipment operators who drive forklifts back and forth across the sections of Monroe and Grape. City council members agreed to give up the street with hopes of helping the business, which has been in the Rogue Valley since 1964 and was just last spring named state exporter of the year. The company will get the land for free because land vacated by the city reverts to owners of the parcels from which it was originally carved -- in this case, Sabroso. The company will build a street connecting Fir and Grape just north of the plant. But the closure isn't a sure thing yet. Tim and Betty Root -- relatives of Jim Root and property owners near the Sabroso headquarters -- have appealed the vacation to the state Land Use Board of Appeals. LUBA is expected to rule on the case Oct. 22. (Send your questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by fax to (541) 776-4376; or by e-mail to: [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification.) Today's News Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA