Stewart Meadows Village takes shape in south Medford - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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Stewart Meadows Village takes shape in south Medford Construction crews work Thursday on the Providence Health and Services three-story, 64,000-square-foot primary, specialty and urgent care center. [Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch] Thursday Apr 27, 2017 at 6:44 PM Apr 27, 2017 at 6:44 PM Greg Stiles Mail Tribune @GregMTBusiness From the air, KOGAP's Stewart Meadows Village is fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. The boundaries for the 79-acre Planned Unit Development between the railroad tracks and Stewart Meadows Golf Course, Stewart Avenue and Garfield Street have long been in place. Redirected Hansen Creek now flows through the property, dividing the residential west side from the commercial east. Providence Health and Services' three-story, 64,000-square-foot primary, specialty and urgent care center is rising on the northeast corner, and a cast of 40 electrical and excavation workers are moving earth and installing lines. After years of planning, designing and waiting for favorable economic winds, the persistent wet weather is merely a minor nuisance, with some sections even ahead of schedule. "We've been waiting for some good weather, and it's surprising we're not behind because of all the rain," said KOGAP Development Director Edward Istel. "But we've been keeping up a pretty good pace. We've kept our excavation and electrical divisions hopping, and they have a lot of work laid out in front of them." A logo created by a Phoenix, Arizona, firm will graphically tie the development together. Phase I of the infrastructure build-out on the west side of the creek will be completed this spring and summer, although Myers Lane has yet to be paved. The walking promenade encircling the development is taking shape with the sidewalk along Stewart Avenue shifting 10 feet from the street. "When you're on the sidewalk along Stewart now, it's like walking next to an expressway," Istel said. "It will be much more aesthetic with the greenery." Removed asphalt and concrete are being crushed and recycled throughout the project. Two automobile bridges and one for pedestrians have been delivered to the site. "We're still finishing up creek work," Istel said. "We're bringing the paths in gradually since we just set the bridges in place." KOGAP is negotiating with retailers and restaurants, Istel said, without being specific, to occupy the southeast part of the development — closest to the freeway. Office buildings will be built farther north. Residential construction is expected to begin in late summer, and the first residences will be along Stewart Meadows' fourth and eighth holes. Completion is slated for next year. "Being in the central part of the valley, there are great views all the way around," Istel said. "We're still looking at different designs. We will start in the middle and build out." — Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31.