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Calle Guanajuato to be restored photo by Jim Craven By Sara Murphy ASHLAND � City officials say it�s time to clean up Ashland Creek and Calle Guanajuato. The first phase of a two-part restoration project will begin July 5. The work includes adding floodwalls, stabilizing stream banks and building public restrooms. "In the long run, it�s going to make for a much nicer-looking creek," said Brandon Goldman, assistant city planner. The second phase of the project calls for construction of a new staircase from Granite Street to the park and a new footbridge connecting the east and west banks. Goldman said city staff has not identified funding for Phase II of the project, and no completion date has been set. Ashland Creek and Calle Guanajuato, the paved walkway behind the Plaza shops, were badly damaged during the New Year�s Day flood of 1997. Over the past three years, the city has rebuilt the Winburn Way bridge near the entrance to Lithia Park and completed restoration projects along other reaches of the creek. Goldman said the latest project, budgeted at just over $1 million, should improve fish habitat, help prevent future flood damage and create a more park-like atmosphere along Calle Guanajuato. "It doesn�t seem as much like an extension of Lithia Park as it will," Goldman said. Federal regulations require instream work to be finished by Sept. 15. Goldman anticipates most out-of-stream work will also be complete by that date. During construction, Calle Guanajuato will be closed to the public as well as to the weekend Lithia Artisans Market. Once work begins, the artisans market likely will move up Winburn Way to the parking lot at Big Kahuna (formerly Perozzi�s Cafe), across from the Lithia Park playground. "We might be able to keep a presence on the Calle, but we haven�t received the final OK," said Jim Young, chairman of the Lithia Arts Guild. Goldman said city staff can�t promise the artisans space near Lithia Stationers until a contractor has been chosen for the construction. The city accepted bids for the project June 15. "I�m hopeful that, at least for the majority of the summer season, (the contractor) can abstain from placing materials on that part of the Calle," Goldman said. Though the work hasn�t started, Young said the uncertainty surrounding the market�s location has already caused some artisans to find other venues for their goods. "It�s already disrupted business," he said. "The market hasn�t been as full lately because the crafts people just don�t know what to think. They�re going out of town." Despite the disruption, Young said the artisans are supportive of the restoration project. Design plans call for construction of a continuous, concrete floodwall to replace the wooden fence along Calle Guanajuato. The wall, which will look similar to the Winburn Way bridge, will range in height from 11 inches to 4 feet, 2 inches. Openings in the railing will allow for public access to the creek during summer months. "Drop-in" closures will be installed during winter months to guard against potential flooding. In the stream, workers will build rock weirs to improve fish habitat. The plans also call for more riparian plantings, as well as landscaping to improve public-access areas. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA