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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW SOU a finalist in national Climate Leadership Competition ... Our View: Water curtailment efforts not just for show ... Officers identified in Dunsmuir shootout ... SOU a finalist in national Climate Leadership Competition ... Our View: Water curtailment efforts not just for show ... Officers identified in Dunsmuir shootout ... OUR VIEW Our View: Medford Center owners invest in city's future MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 28, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Jul. 28, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Medford Center, which longtime residents know as a shopping complex that has seen better days, may be headed for better days again with the announcement of major remodeling by the present owners. LBG Real Estate Companies LLC of Los Angeles, which purchased the complex last year for $22.175 million, plans to construct a tower at the corner of the anchor Sears store, rising up to 80 feet on the southwest corner of the Sears building, visible from the Interstate 5 viaduct. The tower would have the words Medford Center on the side as well as advertising some of the major tenants of the complex. Other plans in the works call for a redesigned courtyard with outdoor seating and a large canopy.  Medford Center was built 55 years ago as an open-air shopping complex. The central promenade later was roofed over, leaving a less inviting space inside. The opening of the Rogue Valley Mall in 1986 and big-box stores at the north and south ends of town cut into its market share over the years. The new owners say a reluctance to invest in the property by previous owners has hurt the center's performance, and they vow to update its look and attract new tenants. In particular, new tenants could include restaurants and a brewpub along the central promenade.  An LBG partner mentioned the remodeling of Hawthorne Park and future plans for a sky bridge connecting the park with the Inn at The Commons. While Medford Center isn't technically part of downtown, it is close by. Improvements to the aging shopping complex likely can be considered part of the halo effect of The Commons and other urban renewal efforts over the past several years. It's good to see out-of-town investors demonstrate confidence in Medford's core by making major improvements to a property with the potential to contribute to the city's commercial future.    MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 28, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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