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RCC considers soon-to-close downtown store for expansion By SUSAN JAY Talks are under way at Rogue Community College about the Downtown Merchants Mall building in Medford as a possible RCC location. "We're only at the stage of discussion, and talking about potential uses and about whether it's feasible or not," said Tom Bradbeer, dean of human resources and college development. "We have not signed any leases, and we have not begun any negotiations, but it is a location that the Medford Urban Renewal Agency has identified as appropriate for this kind of use," Bradbeer said, "and it's a size that would meet the needs of the college for some time." The Downtown Merchants Mall, an antique and collectibles store on Central Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets, plans to close Sept. 4. The building has been for sale for several years. For this fall and winter semester, RCC plans to add 7,793 square feet of classroom and office space in various buildings around RCC's Riverside Center at Riverside and Ninth streets. The college already has about 55,000 square feet in five buildings in downtown Medford. The college is renovating the former Aikido studio at 10th and Front streets, and the bottom floor at the former Kay Building. Administrators are also negotiating a lease for 3,500 square feet in the former McKenzie Outfitters building at Front and Eighth streets. The Merchants Mall building is an ideal RCC location, with close access to RCC's other downtown sites and plenty of space. But the three-story, 30,000-square-foot building would require extensive remodeling before RCC could use the whole structure, Bradbeer said. "It's in the discussion stage because there are an awful lot of issues raised by a commitment of the college in that direction," Bradbeer said. That includes the money for remodeling and, "as with any location in that part of downtown, parking is a critical issue," Bradbeer said. RCC does not receive any state money for new buildings or remodeling. Money for past building improvements has come from RCC's operating fund, which includes tuition. RCC has told Urban Renewal it's committed to staying in downtown Medford for the long term, and the two entities are working on parking solutions. MURA is working on short and long term answers, said Don Burt, MURA director. "I can't say Urban Renewal will have parking spaces ready if they opened up that new building (Merchants Mall)," Burt said. "I can say they are working on adding more spaces in the short term as fast as they can." This winter Urban Renewal plans to work with a consultant to determine the size and location of a parking structure within the vicinity of RCC. The agency also is considering Central Avenue and Eighth Street for a new Jackson County headquarters library that could also serve RCC. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA