Document text
1 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 Emergency services, May 11 Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in What you'll find at the growers markets this week St. Mary's reaches out to China Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, May 11 Police reports Medford police use anti-overdose nasal spray to revive heroin victim Emergency Services, March 10 Medford man arrested for growing marijuana Politics and Elections Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Education St. Mary's reaches out to China Work your body to save your braaaaains Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Environment Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides State News Oregon lawmakers grapple over daylight saving time Japan releases Oregonian held for 18 days over prescription Feds ban new commercial fishing for forage fish Firefighting plan aims to protect Western habitat Wyoming Legislature aims to support Northwest coal terminals with $1 billion in bonds Nation - World Obituaries Norma Catherine Morgan Marlene Milliron (Smock) Monica Louise Revel William F. Christofferson Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories North Medford downs Klamath Argentina probes copter wreck as France mourns Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Blair plays four tours to earn PGA card Varsity 541 College Sports Gonzaga trips BYU for 14th WCC title Beaver QB race down to three players Ducks prep for multiple foes Raiders out to end drought in NAIA tourney SOU lands tough draw in opener at nationals Pro Sports James fuels Cavs in rout of Mavs Blair plays four tours to earn PGA card Race safety measures become hot topic Wheeler-dealer Kelly trades Foles for Bradford Trades steal spotlight from free agents Community Sports Business Latest Stories Jackson County jobless rate falls to 7.7 percent Blog: Manufacturing leads Oregon's export expansion Disruptive forces: Coming to a business near you Four Rogue Valley companies make business magazine's top-100 list Blog: Cash deals for homes remains in decline Real Estate News Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor, March 11 Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Landgren cartoon: Farewell to circus elephants Landgren cartoon: Potholes Editorials Our View: Atkins a safe choice for secretary of state Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Letters to the Editor Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor, March 11 Letters to the Editor, March 10 Letters to the Editor, March 9 Letters to the Editor, March 8 Columns Kathleen Parker: Adolescent senators dunking the president Kent Bush: Things will never change unless we change them Michael Gerson: Viewing Ferguson from Selma — and fixing it Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Kathleen Parker: 'Just look at him' Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Lifestyle Latest stories 5 Things to Do This Weekend (March 13-15) Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Lost in Suburbia: Fifty shades of dirty dog Dave Ramsey: The problem with being impulsive Can't beet cold-weather crops Food Serra storms Seattle Food for Thought: Spice up dinner with shrimp Community blog: Chocolate festival winners came from near and far Prudence Hilburn: Cookbook compiler finds best of the best in Southern recipes Gail Ciampa: Garlicky mushrooms star in fresh layered sandwich Home and Garden Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Paul Rogers: Daylight Saving, full moon hopeful signs for spring Home Help: 4 ways to redefine your outdoor space Health Community blog: The Future is Now Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment Music Zepdrix! 'Shook, Rattled and Rolled' ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Dining Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in ... Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in ... JACKSONVILLE Contractor picked for courthouse work Council names Ausland for seismic retrofits Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 6:42 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 6:42 PM » Social News JACKSONVILLE — A more stable future is in store for the 1883 Jackson County Courthouse, undergoing renovation to become City Hall. A contract with Ausland Group for seismic upgrades to the structure was approved by City Council Tuesday. Ausland submitted the low bid of $221,150 in a request for proposals. A preliminary estimate by the city for the work was $300,000. “I’m thrilled, especially since there were people in town really worried that this (seismic) would be half a million,” said Mayor Paul Becker. “We are in good shape. I’m still planning to be in there by the end of the year.” Becker admits others aren’t projecting that timeline, but once seismic work is done he thinks the renovation can be completed rapidly. Under the request for proposals, Ausland is to finish seismic work by June 15. Jackson County turned the courthouse over to the city in 2012. Up to $1 million in urban renewal funds will be used for structural work and to renovate the first floor to house most city offices, which are scattered across several locations. Other firms bidding on the project included Batzer Construction, $298,600; Vitus Construction, $308,992, and Taylor Site Development, $357,900 New Councilor Brad Bennington abstained from voting, citing a lack of information, while Councilor Jocie Wall voted against approval. Councilors Criss Garcia, Ken Gregg, David Jesser, Jim Lewis and Becker voted in favor. Ausland has performed seismic reinforcement work on other older structures in the area, including the 100-year-old Applegate School and 86-year-old Churchill Hall at Southern Oregon University. Two other courthouse contracts were awarded, as well. Kistler, Small and White Architects, Ashland, submitted the low bid of $25,500 to provide working drawings. Pacific Fire Protection was the low bidder at $83,617 to install a fire-suppression system. Estimated cost for the suppression work was $78,000. Discovery last week that white woodwork trim surrounding the top of the courthouse comes down a foot over the brick walls may result in a reduction of cost for seismic work, said Scott Pingle, city engineer with KAS & Associates. “Usually this appears when you get into actual construction,” said Pingle. A crawl through an attic space revealed the setup. Instead of tying roof trusses directly to the wall by drilling through top plates, supports for the trim running from the trusses will be bolted to the building. Less steel would be used, fewer holes drilled and coping on the inside of the large second floor space would not be disturbed, Pingle said. Once redesign work is completed for the tie-in, a change order will be executed with Ausland. Future use of the second floor has not been determined by the council. A community space that might host events has been suggested. City officials continue to take a phased approach to renovation. Should later phase costs exceed projections, the city would look at options for the building’s future. “We’re being very careful on the finances on it. I don’t want to go overboard,” said City Administrator Jeff Alvis. “You can’t just go out and do this whole project at once.” Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]     By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 4, 2015 at 6:42 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501