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ACCESS PROJECT IN WEST MEFORD ACCESS's 17-unit apartment complex would house veterans Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted May. 2, 2016 at 5:18 PM Updated May 2, 2016 at 5:37 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted May. 2, 2016 at 5:18 PM Updated May 2, 2016 at 5:37 PM » Social News ACCESS hopes to build a 17-unit apartment complex to provide low-cost housing for veterans on North Front Street, not far from a proposed tiny house pilot project for the homeless. The two-story, $1.94 million project on two lots between the Medford American Legion Post 15 Hall and Second Street will offer studio and one-bedroom apartments ranging from 380 to 775 square feet. The proposed 9,294-square-foot Victory Place complex goes before the Medford Site Plan and Architectural Commission for review at noon Friday in the City Council Chambers, 411 W. Eighth St. ACCESS is partnering with Commercial Counsel Inc., whose president is Fred Herrmann, the former owner of Medford's Oakland A's minor league baseball franchise. Commercial Counsel acquired the property along with Herrmann's late business partner, Ed Zander, in May 1980. Zander, a former general manager for television stations KOBI and KOTI, died Jan. 1, 2002, but remains listed as the corporate secretary, according to updated filings on the Secretary of State website. Four former single-family residences, two fronting Front Street and two adjacent to the alley between Front and Central Avenue, will be demolished to make way for the apartments. County records indicate one of the houses dates to 1890. State Housing and Community Services awarded a $1.75 million grant to ACCESS last November, allowing the local community action agency to provide housing assistance to veterans. This is ACCESS' 17th housing project since 1995, said Merry Hart, a housing analyst for ACCESS who has been with the agency since 2000. "There is a huge need for housing, and we are able to specifically target veterans with the funds," she said. She said the federal Housing and Urban Development Department is conducting an environmental review prior to releasing eight Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers to veterans whose income is 60 percent or below the local median income. Pending city approval, Hart hopes to begin demolition in June, followed by construction in July. The city planning staff has recommended approval of the project. "It will be filled before it's finished," said Hart, pointing out that both the VA's Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics and Jackson County Housing Authority have lengthy waiting lists. The most recent ACCESS project was three years ago on Dollarhide Way in Ashland, she said. "That one took seven months, but it was a much quieter construction environment." The complex would be located a block north of the proposed tiny house project on city land. Advocates for the homeless hope to place 12 to 14, 8-by-10-foot houses there for up to 28 people, but the plan has been opposed by local business owners who worry the homeless will drive customers away. In other matters going before the Site Plan and Architectural Commission, a final site plan for an 8.5-acre portion of the 18.83-acre Northgate Office Park will be reviewed. The 58,243-square-foot commercial and office building would be located on the north side of Highway 238 across from the retail part of the Northgate center. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles .31. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted May. 2, 2016 at 5:18 PM Updated May 2, 2016 at 5:37 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... 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