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Welcome center plan lives again County board, legislators will seek ways to pay for it By Sara Murphy The recently tabled Interstate 5 rest area and welcome center south of Ashland is back on the agenda. Oregon Department of Transportation officials met Tuesday with the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, as well as other state and local officials, to begin hunting for funds to build the $3.6 million wayside. About 30 people, including tourism industry representatives and neighbors of the proposed site, sat in the same room for the first time since ODOT announced last month it was withdrawing its planning application with the county because of lack of funding. "We really just want answers," said Sandra Slattery, executive director of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. "We want to get the project back on track." The proposed rest area and welcome center would replace the Siskiyou Rest Area at milepost 10, which closed for safety reasons in January 1996. The welcome center was moved to the Ashland Ranger Station office, where reduced visibility and access caused visitor numbers to drop by more than half. The freeway near Ashland is the only major port of entry to Oregon without a welcome area offering maps, brochures and travel information. The Oregon Tourism Commission estimates the state has lost $10 million in tourism revenues since the Siskiyou stop closed. "We think it�s a huge, huge economic development issue, not only for Southern Oregon, but also for the state of Oregon," Commissioner Sue Kupillas told the group. The county commission, Kupillas said, considers the welcome center a priority issue and is committed to dedicating time and resources to see it built. Similar commitment came from Sen. Lenn Hannon, R-Ashland, and Rep. Alan Bates, D-Eagle Point), who participated via telephone. Hannon and Bates each agreed to look for state funding and ways to expedite the planning process. A representative from Congressman Greg Walden�s Medford office also was present. The commissioners said they will scout out federal funding next month during a planned visit to Washington, D.C. ODOT managers have said the state is willing to move forward with the project if funding is secured. In addition to seeking funds, the commissioners agreed to look at options to limit the rest area�s impact on neighbors � including the possibility of restricting truck access. Neighbors who spoke out said they support a welcome center, but are concerned about how it will affect about 300 nearby homes. "This will be like putting a Pear Tree Truck Stop in my back yard," said Steve Lawrence, who lives across the freeway from the proposed site. ODOT area manager Monte Grove said plans for the rest area always have included truck access, but others questioned why truck drivers would stop at the rest area when the Port of Entry weigh station is nearby. "I don�t know why a trucker would stop if he has to stop again in four or five miles," said Ashland Mayor Alan DeBoer. "Truckers, they�re run by dollars and cents," he said. "They don�t stop just to visit." Commissioner Ric Holt said he plans to talk with truck drivers to get their opinions on the possibility of limiting the rest area to passenger vehicles. Lawrence said limiting trucks, lowering lights and building a sound buffer would solve most of his concerns. "I hope there�s a solution that can work out for everybody," he said. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Sara Murphy at 482-4655, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.