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Commissioners consider primary downtown site for county offices By JILL BRISKEY Hoping to consolidate departments scattered throughout Jackson County, commissioners are looking to buy a building capable of housing various offices. Although board members have not identified a preferred site, one possibility includes Regence BlueCross BlueShield's regional office at 14 N. Central Ave. in downtown Medford. The two-story, 27,000-square foot building was placed on the market last week. Regence's 90 local employees will vacate the structure this fall when the health insurer moves its offices to a larger site at 2067 Commerce Drive. A Regence spokeswoman in Portland said the asking price for the building - remodeled 10 years ago - is $2.85 million. That figure includes a 12,200-square-foot parking lot. Commissioners on Monday toured the Medford building with Hank Collins, director of the county's Health and Human Services Department. Collins is out of town and could not be reached. "I really don't have an impression at this time," Commissioner Ric Holt said of the visit. Don Burt, director of Medford's Urban Renewal Agency, said he's not opposed to the county purchasing Regence's building. However, Burt said he would rather see that space occupied by a for-profit business. He envisions retail on the first floor, and offices on the second. "I think downtown already has its share of nonprofits," Burt added. Deputy County Administrator Dave Kanner said commissioners have not entered into negotiations to purchase the Regence building, or any other. "The county is always looking out for its long-term facility, like any business," he added. Although he didn't identify other sites, Holt said board members are planning independent tours of various locations. Health and human services Deputy Director Mark Orndoff said a new building is needed to house a number of offices in his department. "We're always looking for property," Orndoff said. "We're currently in a snare of rentals." Orndoff said the state needs space for social service offices but has a policy not to purchase buildings. Instead, he said the state enters into long-term lease agreements with counties to house offices. Jackson County has several similar lease agreements with the state that save both government entities money, Orndoff said. The state has indicated it may move its disability services office at 28 W. Sixth St., and Orndoff said perhaps a lease agreement can be reached if the county purchases a new building and space is available. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.