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0 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 Fire danger rises to 'extreme' on Tuesday ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Fire danger rises to 'extreme' on Tuesday ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... ASHLAND The Grove could become parks building Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 3:54 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 3:54 PM » Social News A long underutilized Ashland city building would be repurposed as a front-counter office space and education center for the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department under a proposal presented last week to the city's Parks Commission. Parks Director Michael Black said The Grove, a 10,000-square-foot former teen center across Main Street from the Ashland Police Department, could provide the parks department with much-needed front-counter space for customer service. The department is already using the building — which has a multipurpose room and several classrooms — for some adapted programs for people with developmental, intellectual or physical disabilities. Under Black's proposal, the department would move more of its senior classes into the building, along with increasing the office staff stationed there. He and City Administrator Dave Kanner said Tuesday the public image of the parks department, currently housed in City Hall on the Plaza, would benefit from having a dedicated space. Black said the Parks and Recreation Department is already paying $45,000 a year out of its budget for maintenance on the building, while its own staff are still based at offices in Lithia Park. "What we'd like to do is move them all (to The Grove) so they can all work together," Black said. Also proposed was renting out more of the unused space for use by the public. The Grove teen shelter operated until 2003, when it closed because of budget issues. The building, which was purchased by the city with the help of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was previously considered as a new home for the police department and as a treatment center for juvenile offenders and at-risk youth. It's also gotten the nod as a possible emergency shelter. "It's always been out there as something that's undefined," Black said. City staff members are expected to draw up a formal agreement for expanded use of The Grove by the parks department. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty. By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 3:54 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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