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Click Here 45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, February 6, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 4, 2004 Parking haven to become off-limits By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune A much-used, if muddy, free downtown parking spot could be off-limits to the public beginning Saturday. But at least one council member hopes the City Council will reconsider at its meeting on Thursday. The Medford Urban Renewal Agency will spend $3,800 for posts and cables surrounding the unpaved portion of the vacant Winetrout site. "They’ll be digging holes and setting posts on Friday," said MURA Director Kurt Olsen, adding that the agency will put fliers on windshields of cars in the lot today. The vacant lot between Main and Eighth streets and Front and Fir streets has become a favorite parking spot for nearby Rogue Community College students because there’s unlimited parking time and it’s free. Advertisement But in January some City Council members said the unpaved space violated city code requirements and was a muddy eyesore. The council directed MURA to comply with city code and block off the lot. Councilman Bob Strosser said the city code is one thing, but he doesn’t think the lot needs to be closed off now, since the plan is to close it soon anyway. "When you add reason and judgment, is this what we should do?" he asked. He questions the timing, given the lot has been vacant for three years already, and construction is set to begin on a new parking structure in three months. "Why did it suddenly deteriorate into a crisis?" he said. He hopes to bring the issue up at Thursday’s City Council meeting. MURA was planning to close off the lot in April or May when construction begins on the parking structure project, but some council members said more and more mud was being tracked onto the streets and they didn’t want to wait any longer. The lot can fit up to 150 vehicles during dry weather, and Olsen said the paved portion of the lot will remain available to the public. "There’ll still be probably 60 cars that can still park on the site," he said. Olsen said the flier being placed on windshields includes a map showing the 16 parking areas around downtown. He said MURA and RCC are continuing to discuss parking options for students. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times