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Long talk about Ashland's Calle Guanajuato to begin ASHLAND -- A series of meetings to let residents define what they want in Calle Guanajuato will begin Monday. But it won't be an official get-together that will kick off the public participation portion of the project. Instead, activist Cate Hartzell and other Ashland residents are calling for a public discussion before the official three-day series of meetings -- called a charette -- begins. "Some of us in town felt that as much time as we can give to citizens to talk with each other and to get clear about goals, the better it will be," Hartzell said. "It will really ripen what we do as participants at the charette." She said the meeting -- scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Hillah Temple -- will be an informal discussion. "We will start with what is really special and unique about this place," she said. The New Year's Day flood of 1997 badly damaged Calle Guanajuato -- a broad paved alley parallel to Ashland Creek behind Plaza restaurants and stores. Parks and Recreation Director Ken Mickelsen said the council and Parks Commission have earmarked $1 million for the renovation. In a meeting last month, the council and commission chose as the top three priorities that the project should: Protect human lives and the buildings in the Plaza during a severe flood. Enhance the natural setting and the environmental functions and values of Ashland Creek in the Calle Guanajuato. Greatly reduce damage to public property during a severe flood. Hartzell noted, however, that interests conflict when it comes to the Calle. Some businesses want outdoor dining. Others want truck deliveries. Artists want a craft market and performing space. Tourists and locals want to enjoy the creek. "There's a lot of competing interests and values and we have to come together in a way that's fair," she said. "My hope is to make sure the process used for redesign maximizes the citizen voice in the design." Brian McCarthy, the lead landscape architect with the team contracted to do the design, said the charette will begin Saturday, July 31, probably at the Hillah Temple. Open houses will be held that evening and the next morning in which residents can learn the project's background and see design options. On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 1, participants will choose their favorite option or combination of options, or suggest completely new options. On Monday, Aug. 2, the designers will draw a sketch of what seems to be the public's preferred design. At 7 that evening, the designers will take their drawings to a joint meeting of the City Council and Parks Commission. Several more meetings will follow to refine the plan. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in September 2000. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA