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$6.90 for cable? Ashland considers it Council also to discuss parking deal By DANI DODGE ASHLAND -- Ashland Fiber Network subscribers would pay $6.90 a month for basic cable television service under a plan the City Council will consider Tuesday. The council also will discuss historic designation for the downtown, and a deal to provide 24 more public parking spaces. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center council chambers. The basic cable rate wouldn't include HBO or Wisdom Television, but will provide local network affiliates, government and educational access channels. Expanded levels of service with more channels are priced 20 percent below similar tiers of Falcon Cable, which provides cable in Ashland and the rest of the Rogue Valley. "I think people get tired of seeing everything go up and up and up and I think they'd like to see a little more for a little less," said Pete Lovrovich, director of electric and telecommunications at the city. Under the current proposal, rates would increase every two years. Ashland's own cable service will become available to Ashland residents through the next year. The council also will consider a plan that could mean more parking downtown. According to a memo by City Administrator Mike Freeman, the city reached agreement with the Elks Lodge for 24 more parking spaces downtown. Under the agreement, the city would landscape the Elks parking lot at Lithia Way and First Street in exchange for adjacent parking spaces at Lithia Way and Second Street. The public spaces -- behind the Provost building -- will be available to the general public. The agreement will be in effect for 20 years with an annual rental rate of $1 per year. In other action, the council will hold a public hearing on whether to nominate the Ashland downtown historic district for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The move was unanimously recommended by the Historic Commission. Being designated historic structures would mean buildings in the downtown could have a 15-year freeze on their assessed value for taxing purposes. Also property owners would get additional tax breaks when they invest in their buildings, as long as the renovations retain the historic character of the buildings. Historic designations also restrict some changes being made to buildings, but historic preservationist George Kramer said local ordinances already regulate downtown properties. There are currently 11 buildings downtown designated as historic. If the downtown is accepted into the register, the number would increase to 70. Kramer said it should spur renovations in the downtown. "If that happens, everyone will benefit," he said. "We will have a prettier downtown. We will have one that has a stronger connection to its past and most importantly we will keep those buildings as standing and vital parts of the community for many years to come." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA