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Click Here 43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 20, 2004 Business owners in Gold Hill worry that an Oregon Department of Transportation project to improve Highway 234 will keep tourists away during the summer, their busiest time of year. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Improving highway could be painful Gold Hill merchants worry that summer construction will cause potential customers to go somewhere else By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — Connie Lausmann depends on the traffic along Highway 234 to bring customers to her drive-through coffee stand. This summer, she and other merchants are worried that a $2.3 million road improvement project will mean customers avoid the downtown, potentially destroying their businesses. "Unless something is done to help us, our little town is going to become a ghost town with a beautiful road going through it," said Lausmann, owner of Aloha Coffee Co. Lausmann and other business owners have started a relief fund for mom-and-pop stores that have four or fewer employees and stay open five days a week. The financial strain will be especially difficult because many merchants depend on extra money from vacation traffic in the summer. "We barely make it from month to month anyway," said Lausmann. Advertisement Royal Gasso, Gold Hill public works director, said the project will be an inconvenience from April through October, but the Oregon Department of Transportation will attempt to accommodate merchants as much as possible. "But you have to be realistic," he said. "No one is saying it is not going to impact their business." ODOT, which will be going out to bid soon for the project, will first work on a two-mile section along the southbound lanes. Once finished, work crews will tear up the northbound lanes. Gasso said ODOT has met with many local merchants and has, in some cases, altered its construction schedule to accommodate their concerns. One of the biggest potential impacts will be a temporary detour around the downtown area. But if businesses put up with the inconvenience, Gasso said it will eventually pay off. "What does a town of 1,000 people have to offer?" he said. "We’re trying to take steps in Gold Hill to make it more attractive to stop." New sidewalks will be installed with pedestrian bump-outs at street corners. To help beautify the downtown, 21 trees will be planted and 16 street lights similar to the ones at Nunan Square in Jacksonville will be installed. Merchants agree the project will benefit them ultimately, but wonder if they’ll be around to enjoy it. "I’ve been here 25 years and I’m kind of scared," said Ron Benoist, owner of Gold Hill Gas Service. He foresees big problems as traffic bypasses his town, or motorists become so confused they won’t want to bother negotiating a construction zone to make it to his pumps. "I’m just holding on for the nine months until it’s done," he said. Robert Barry, owner of Nationwide Automotive said, "Nobody wants to go through a construction zone." He’s worried that vehicles won’t stop in Gold Hill for repairs this summer. "I wonder if motorhomes and that kind of traffic will come through," he said. While he’s not sure what impact it will have on his business, Barry welcomes the project, which will be a much needed improvement to the downtown. "I’ll really enjoy the looks of it when it’s done," he said. Lausmann and two other merchants have set up an account at Washington Mutual in Gold Hill for the benefit of local merchants. The account number is 0933240210. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times