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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 21, 2006 Council breathes new life into MURA The Medford panel extends the life of its downtown urban renewal body by 12 years By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Medford’s downtown revitalization agency Thursday was granted an additional 12 years — to 2025 — bringing the ambitious Middleford Commons development one step closer to realization. But Medford resident Lee Morris was among those who didn’t support the move. "I was disappointed," said Morris, a vocal opponent, following Thursday’s City Council meeting. "It feels like this is just being rushed through." The council voted 6-to-2 Thursday to extend the life of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency as part of a plan the city and MURA have to fund a $169.3 million multi-block urban redevelopment project. The proposed Middleford Commons project, with Lithia Motors Inc. headquarters as its anchor, would be built in an area bounded by Central and Riverside avenues and Jackson and Sixth streets. Advertisement The agency has asked for more time beyond its remaining seven years to pay back bonds for the partnership project. The extension would mean MURA would receive a portion of taxes that would otherwise go to other taxing districts in the area. Morris and others raised the concern during last week’s public comment period that council members Skip Knight and Jason Anderson should recuse themselves because as liaisons to the MURA board, they are too close to the subject to be objective, and they have already expressed their support of the extension. Anderson said as council liaisons they were not privy to information the council wasn’t and are able to remain unbiased. "We didn’t approve the project, we just initiated the project," he said. Another public concern was that Anderson had a conflict of interest because one of his law partners owned property within the area under consideration. Anderson said that this vote did not pertain to buying and selling property, and when that does come up, he plans to recuse himself. Councilman Jim Key, who voted against the extension, said he didn’t think the extension was necessary for the negotiations at this time. "I feel like I’ve very much been lied to about this proposal," he said. "I see this as a blank check. We’re obligating the city to something we have no knowledge of." Councilman Anderson responded that he sees this as a necessary step. He said the next step is to start negotiations, study sessions and public hearings. The following step would be entering into a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA), he said. Councilman Knight agreed. "You cannot talk about a DDA with Lithia unless you have this agreement," he said. Councilwoman Claudette Moore said the council doesn’t want to put the city in debt. "We are not going to get crazy and throw money around," she said. "This is how negotiations work." Councilman John Statler, who also voted against the extension, said he didn’t think there was enough public discussion. "Our council tends to support the legal minimum of citizen participation," he said." I will be voting no on this motion in the hopes that MURA will hold a number of public ... forums." The issue comes before the council for a final vote at its May 4 meeting. The city will consider taking up to $8 million of the agency’s remaining financial obligations, including $4.25 million toward the new south Medford interchange and $500,000 to go toward a new Liberty Park in west Medford. MURA board member Bill Dames said after the meeting that among the next steps are looking for state grants and funding. "There’s possibilities of getting more money from Salem and we’re going to have to explore that," he said. "I think Lithia has shown an indication they can be very generous to different public endeavors," he said. "I wouldn’t be surprised if they showed their generosity in the Liberty Park area." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Council breathes new life into MURA ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s