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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend July 1, 2006 Flags would make Ashland's A Street more visible, business owners say By vicki aldous for the Mail Tribune A Street is an easy walk from downtown Ashland, but for some tourists, out of sight means out of mind. Gary Smith, owner of Ploughman's Wine and Cheese Bar in the A Street Market Place, would like to change that. He's hoping to win approval from the Ashland City Council to hang flags along Oak and Pioneer streets, and possibly Fourth and A streets, to help lure people who are shopping downtown. Lined with art galleries, restaurants, high-tech firms and shops, A Street combines tourist-oriented stores with local places such as Ashland Hardware. Smith said people don't think twice about walking from the Plaza up toward the restaurant Pasta Piatti on the opposite end of downtown, but some hesitate to walk from downtown to A Street — even though the distances are roughly equal. He would like to expand the mindset about what constitutes Ashland's downtown to include A Street and the roads that connect the two areas. "This allows tourists and even some locals to know where A Street is," he said. "There are other artists and businesses that are not a part of the Plaza but are part of downtown." Smith said he and several A Street merchants would pay for the cost of the two-by-three-foot flags, which would fly on city street lights. He has created a graphic that he would like to see emblazoned on the flags. The flags would include the words "A Street" and "Railroad District." A Street, which parallels the railroad tracks, is part of Ashland's historic Railroad District. Smith floated the idea before the City Council during its regular meeting on June 20. The council did not take action on the request. Councilwoman Cate Hartzell said she would like a more thorough review of city policy on flags before approving any individual request. Ann Seltzer, Ashland management analyst, said the city's legal department has been researching the city's policy on flags and banners. Minutes to a 1982 City Council meeting described how permits should be granted only to nonprofit organizations to promote activities in the community. Since Smith is a private businessman, his request would not meet those criteria, she said. The legal department also found that the nonprofit Lithia Artisans' Guild and the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department do not have permits on file for banners they hang to advertise the Lithia Artisans Market and the Darex Ice Rink. The two entities also are not paying for the city staff time taken to hang the seasonal banners, according to Seltzer. The parks department and guild will need to secure permits and either hang the banners themselves or pay the city to do so, she said. Seltzer said she would be sending a memo outlining the issues to council members. Southern Oregon University and the nonprofit Oregon Shakespeare Festival have permits on file and make their own arrangements to hang banners without using city staff, she said. Council members must decide whether they want to change the permit process to allow businessmen like Smith to hang flags, she said. Ashland's regular sign code, which allows business signs under certain conditions, does not apply to the flags because Smith proposes that they be hung on street lights in the public right of way. Flags and banners in the right of way fall under the 1982 guidelines, according to Ashland Code Compliance Specialist Adam Hanks. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews