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SUNNY Temp: 86 °F Wind: WNW at 9 mph Thursday, July 24, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 22, 2003 Josue Diaz hauls recyclable concrete tiles from the roof of the former Rogue Valley Center mini-mall across Highway 62 from Fred Meyer on Monday. The mall and other nearby buildings will be torn down to make way for an improved north Medford interchange. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Yielding to change Closed businesses make way for I-5 project By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Salvage crews were one step ahead of demolition crews Monday, removing concrete roof tiles for a major state highway project in north Medford. Todd Marthoski of M&M Services LLC, Medford, was hired by the Oregon Department of Transportation to flatten the former Discount Furniture store and the Rogue Valley Center strip mall that housed businesses such as Hot Springs Spa and H&R Block. "We’re going to finish out on the furniture building (today)," said Marthoski. "Then we’re going to start working on the little mall." The demolition is laying the groundwork for ODOT’s $36 million north Medford interchange project. Advertisement The new interchange will give drivers direct access between Interstate 5 and Highway 62, separating local and interstate traffic. Of that $36 million, $21 million was allocated for land acquisition of 31 properties and compensation to businesses for relocation, according to Gary Leaming, project information coordinator with ODOT. He said the project is displacing 12 businesses, most of which have already moved or closed. The next buildings destined for destruction, in August, are the IHOP, Chevron Car Wash and Carl’s Jr.. Denny’s and Arco are slated for September, and the Pony Soldier Inn will be held off till after October to handle asbestos cleanup, said Leaming. All the destruction is in the name of improving air quality and driver safety, and reducing traffic congestion, he said. "It’s not just about ripping buildings down, it’s about finding a safer roadway," he said, adding that this is the "best design that would have the least impact for that area." Marthoski said the materials don’t all get trashed. "We’re recycling concrete, metal — we’re trying to recycle just about as much as possible from that project," he said. Leaming said that some of the property improvements and fixtures, such as the playground at Carl’s Jr., were sold to the highest bidder on eBay. Other project-related construction includes moving a sewer line on Biddle Road. Rogue Valley Sewer Services (formerly Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Authority) began moving a 54-inch sewer line a couple weeks ago, creating occasional traffic restrictions at the Highway 62 overpass. The sewer line work is scheduled to last another month. Leaming said the interchange project is scheduled to go to bid in October and construction will begin in early 2004 and last two years. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times