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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend April 7, 2006 MURA meeting extended By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Misspent public funds, lack of details and potential loss of projects were key reasons to postpone if not deny the 12-year life extension of the Medford Urban Renewal Agency, according to numerous testimonies at the Medford City Council meeting late Thursday. The council voted to continue the meeting to April 20. Council members closed the public hearing at around 10:30 p.m. and will take comment for seven days. There were 80 or more residents in attendance, many of whom spoke in opposition to MURAs request to extend its life beyond its 2013 sunset date. The downtown revitalization agency asked the council to grant it a longer life to help create Middleford Commons, a proposed $147 million, six-block development with Lithia Motors headquarters as its anchor. MURAs portion of the investment could be as much as $17 million, which would help with park space, streetscapes and area amenities. The agency has asked for more time beyond its remaining seven years to pay back bonds for the partnership project. Advertisement Medford residents Michael Torguson and Bill Mansfield spoke about concerns that the once-promised improvements to the Liberty Park neighborhood in west Medford were taken off MURAs to-do list with the Middleford Commons project in view. Mansfield added that it’s wrong to use public funds to subsidize private business, and that Middleford Commons was an economic development project. He said it was unclear exactly how the $17 million would be spent. "I suggest at the very least the council hold off on this matter," he said. Scott Henselman, owner of Henselman Realty & Management, said there has been a lack of information and a lot of confusion on what MURA would be doing with its downtown projects, and requested an extension of time "to allow the issue to be vented in a public venue." Jane Bridcott who lives in the Liberty Park neighborhood said she understood the neighborhood park project, once on the urban renewal agency’s project list, had been completely handed over to the city. She said she knew the Parks Department didn’t have excess funds to build the park. "I just think the Liberty Park District is going to be put even more on the back burner," she said. Several people from the economic development community spoke in support of extending MURAs life, saying the Middleford Commons project will stimulate economic development and growth, provide local jobs, offer housing, and create a vibrant downtown. The development would be located between Central and Riverside avenues and Main and Jackson streets. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail MURA meeting extended ">[email protected] . Related Stories: 04-07-2006 - MURA meeting extended 04-18-2006 - Giving MURA a hand 07-12-2006 - Middleford Commons is forum topic 07-13-2006 - Downtown Face Lift 08-09-2006 - Middleford Commons will be the focus of a joint study session at noon Thursday 08-11-2006 - Middleford plans move forward 08-20-2006 - Middleford: Lithia takes the lead 09-07-2006 - Middleford receives approval from MURA 09-08-2006 - Council OKs Middleford Commons 09-10-2006 - A refresher on Middleford 10-18-2006 - State says Lithia needn't pay prevailing wages 11-16-2006 - Election aids Middleford property owners FORUM - Discuss this topic in our forum. 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 online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help Advertisement s