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'Gateway' project on the horizon Thursday Jan 26, 2017 at 3:22 PM Jan 26, 2017 at 4:45 PM Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune A revitalized gateway into downtown Talent from South Pacific Highway could have commercial buildings, residences, open space or other features, as Talent Urban Renewal Agency gears up to develop nearly 4 acres of bare land. The agency will be able to pursue the project thanks to the purchase of two commercial lots that front Highway 99 at Valley View Road. More than 100 residents attended a brainstorming session about gateway makeup at the Talent Community Center two weeks ago. “Overwhelmingly, the crowd was enthusiastic just for the opportunity,” said Mayor Darby Stricker, who is also chair of the urban renewal board. "The intent was for conceptual planning to gather everybody’s vision of what they want to see." After residents received notice of the session in utility bills and through other media, the meeting was standing room only. “That was exciting. I think with that kind of involvement it’s going to be a better project,” said Portland consultant John Southgate, who is working with TURA. “This is not just a few developers and city officials and a consultant.” While he’s keeping all possibilities open, Southgate said he wants to adhere to the agency's idea of the site serving as a catalyst. He thinks it may be able to draw in the many creative people that live in Talent and the region. TURA bought the 1.65-acre lot on the southwest corner of Highway 99 and Valley View Road for $895,000, the asking price. The lot contains a building that formerly housed a video store and a convenience store. The other lot, 1.94 acres of bare land south of the first lot, was purchased for $400,000, $75,000 less than the asking price. Citizens had numerous ideas for the site, said Stricker. Some called for including open space, while others wanted apartments and some high-density housing. Also proposed were a food-truck court, a gathering place, maker spaces, an entertainment venue and an open market space. “One person wanted to make sure we always have views of the mountains,” said Stricker. The individual suggested a rooftop restaurant would be one way to ensure that. Developers also attended the session and will be asked to respond to a "request for expression of interest" once criteria for the project are formulated. Southgate hopes to have a draft ready by the end of February. “I have talked with several developers who are quality people, doing good projects,” said Southgate. “You want to make sure you have people who understand what the city wants to achieve and are capable of delivering.” Staff will distill the ideas and come up with a number of possible scenarios, said Stricker. There will be another open house to evaluate the scenarios, she said. “We are controlling the property until we know what they are going to develop so we can have what the citizens want,” said Tom Corrigan, agency executive director. Legal documents for development would be signed after developers' responses are rated by a committee. A variety of development options are possible, said Corrigan. A final agreement might include a multiyear lease on the land, purchase, land exchange or a no-cost transfer in exchange for improvements and future tax revenues. The highway frontage might be developed commercially, while the rear potion could potentially be residential, he said, perhaps with different developers. “There’s lot of details to work out,” said Corrigan. “That’s up to the board.” Southgate hopes for a project that will have an impact, such as Portland’s Pioneer Square or Waterfront Park. “The really fun projects are ones where the end product is a source of community pride,” said Southgate. “People can look back and say, ‘Yeah, I was involved in that in 2017.’ ” — Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].