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Bear Creek renovation is open to ideas By AYISHA YAHYA Mail Tribune What would you like to see on the banks of seven miles of Bear Creek meandering through Medford? You can share your opinions on how the city can make the creek its "crown jewel" at a public workshop from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Red Lion Hotel. Architects from Design Studios West, the Denver firm the city hired to develop the creek's master plan, will discuss their latest designs on creek enhancements. According to Eric Iversen, senior planner at the Medford Urban Renewal Agency, the new designs incorporate public comments from a workshop earlier this year. "At this meeting, we're going to look at some of the solutions they've drawn up," Iversen said. He said 356 comments were received at the last workshop. The features people said they would most like to see along the creek include an enhanced fish habitat, enhanced creek vegetation and viewpoints overlooking the creek. People also want sculptures, creekside dining and businesses fronting the creek, Iverson said. At this workshop, Design Studios West will display 10 to 20 sketches incorporating these ideas. People can speak to the consultants, attach sticky notes or draw their suggestions on the sketches. The creek is divided into three sections: a more natural southern part flowing near South Stage Road through Bear Creek Park to downtown; an urbanized central section; and a northern part running past the Rogue Valley Mall. People can suggest developments suitable for each section. "People need to come out and look at the designs, take a look and pass on some comments if they agree with the direction we're going or not," Iversen said. Design Studios West has completed similar projects in Pueblo, Colo., Stockton, Calif., and Dubois, Wyo. Iversen said one or two more meetings might be scheduled to show revised and finalized designs. "Once we figure out what people want and what's feasible, we can make a recommendation to the City Council," he said, adding a pilot project might begin at least in the next year. However, residents shouldn't expect the changes to happen all at once. "It's very possible that in the larger scope of things, it will take 10 to 20 years," Iversen said. The $70,500 Bear Creek master plan is sponsored by the city of Medford and the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. It is part of the city's vision process called "Medford in the 21st Century." Reach news intern Ayisha Yahya at [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.