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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Council considers end to prohibition in city parks Mushroom hunter rescued after rainy night in Merlin woods Get Up & Go: Dec. 2 Since You Asked: How low will it go? For now, just the 30s Emergency Services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Woman admits role in ID theft, bank fraud ring Community blog: The Hug-Let's Hope it Happens in Furgeson Too. Community blog: Ernie Whiteman Sr. The Definition of a SRO Emergency services Politics and Elections East Medford's the charm Pot, GMOs unite south Jackson County Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Education Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten Building audits will help district save energy, and money Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Environment Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em State News Fishermen say Newport helo base may have saved their lives Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Eugene considers train 'quiet zones' Jesse Jackson calls for peace at Portland rally Bend retirement community brews for charity Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Lester Ray Stephens Freda Lee Davidson Edna �Alice� Soballe Morrie Dean Harvester Carla Louise Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Sans stars, Spurs deal Sixers yet another loss Dolphins overtake run-happy Jets Winston’s conduct hearing slated today at FSU Exam will look at brain of Ohio State player Browns' Hoyer: 'I've gotten us to this point' Varsity 541 College Sports Winston’s conduct hearing slated today at FSU Exam will look at brain of Ohio State player Riley to take ‘good, hard look’ at program Frost might be in line for Nebraska job Marked Man Pro Sports Sans stars, Spurs deal Sixers yet another loss Dolphins overtake run-happy Jets Browns' Hoyer: 'I've gotten us to this point' Mariners, slugger Cruz nearing contract agreement Warriors win 9th straight, beat Pistons Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Ride & Drive: The 2015 Toyota Camry Greg Zyla: Gift suggestions for car and motorsport enthusiasts Silvio Calabi: The 2015 Jetta returns to its VW roots Blog: 'Twas the 12 Days of Deals... Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Agriculture Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Michael Gerson: Shrinking the global AIDS epidemic map Granlund cartoon: Charitable donations down Letters to the Editor, Dec. 1 Editorials Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Our View: What's in a name? Not that much, really Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Our View: Cheers (too thankful for a jeer this week) Our View: Day of abundance, season of sharing Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 1 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 30 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 28 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 27 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Lifestyle Latest stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: The emotions of the holidays Food for Thought: Sugar cookies offer holiday nostalgia Ride & Drive: The 2015 Toyota Camry Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape Jeff Vrabel: Unhappy accidents are hard to predict Food Food for Thought: Sugar cookies offer holiday nostalgia Kitchen Call: A change from turkey leftovers Community blog: In soup or salad, savor pumpkin with leeks Be a gravy-making star on Thanksgiving Food for Thought: Add new twists on Thanksgiving favorites Home and Garden Home Help: Luxurious upgrades don’t have to break the bank 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Home Help: Quick tips for getting your home ready for the holidays Mortgage insurance: Your questions answered Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Community blog: Appreciating Clouds: Year-Round Gratitude Community blog: A Little Toilet Talk Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn New Arrivals ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Brunch at Loft Brasserie 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas Theater OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' Music Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love The Farr Side: Different artists, common songs Community Events 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas New exhibits highlight Third Fridays Dining Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Council considers end to prohibition in city parks ... Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up ... Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten ... Council considers end to prohibition in city parks ... Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up ... Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten ... COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Medford Center up for a makeover by new buyer New owner LBG Real Estate promises more shops, renewed energy By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 18, 2014 @ 4:05 pm Updated Nov 18, 2014 at 6:35 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 18, 2014 @ 4:05 pm Updated Nov 18, 2014 at 6:35 PM » Social News A Los Angeles-based real estate investment company has acquired the Medford Center from Kimco Realty. A founding managing partner of LBG Real Estate said Medford Center is due for a makeover, improved security and renewed relevance. "We've thought about renaming it — something more exciting," said Leslie Lundin. "We want to rebrand it as a lifestyle center and want to make it more festive. It's got the cinema, Rogue Air and the fitness center. We want to capitalize on the energy already there and create an environment where people want to linger. "We're putting a business plan together right now," Lundin said. "We're working on new signage right away. We'll renovate the facade so we can bring it up to a Class A center. There should be a lot of changes in the next few months. With the weather and the time it takes for architecture and engineering, we probably won't start major renovation until next spring." The shopping center encompasses more than 30 acres between Jackson and Spring streets and Biddle Road and Crater Lake Avenue. After going through a major makeover in the 1990s, the 420,000-square-foot center has seen some major tenants depart and the loss of some longtime retailers when leases expired. Kimco acquired Medford Center from Pan Pacific Retail Properties Inc. eight years ago as part of a $4.1 billion transaction, picking up 138 operating properties with a general leasing area of 19.9 million square feet in four Western states. The last listed sales price for Medford Center was $7.1 million in 1994. The transaction price was not announced. However, it reached well into the seven-figure mark. Local real estate brokers privately suggested New York-based Kimco Realty failed to understand Southern Oregon's economics, forcing tenants to pay rates their businesses couldn't support. Lundin said Tuesday the Medford Center is 86 percent occupied. "I could see why if they had difficultly with rents if the center wasn't well-maintained, and tenants need to be around other tenants," she said. LBG Real Estate was launched in 2009 and this is the firm's first incursion into Oregon. It operates commercial centers in Southern California, Nevada and Utah.  "We're very hands-on when it comes to leasing our projects," said Zach Sussman, the firm's leasing director. LBG intends to redevelop the promenade between Tinseltown and International Fitness, creating additional shops, and reconfiguring landscape and water features. Lundin said LBG hopes to capitalize on the overhaul of Hawthorne Park — south of Jackson Street — and stage events of its own.  "We're small, compared to Kimco," Lundin said. "I started with two partners, investing our own money. We're picky about what we get into. This is an ideal redevelopment play and perfect opportunistic buy." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge .   By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 18, 2014 @ 4:05 pm Updated Nov 18, 2014 at 6:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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