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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 4, 2007 This is how Homewood Suites by Hilton would look. (Browning and Associates) A suite addition Rogue Valley Manor's parent company plans a four-story hotel near the I-5 south interchange By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune The south Medford interchange is likely to reshape northbound freeway drivers' first impressions of Medford, and a new hotel being developed nearby by Rogue Valley Manor promises to be a new navigational landmark as well. Not only will travelers see golf courses and parks, but by mid-2008, a four-story "Homewood Suites by Hilton" will grace the east flank of Interstate 5. "I think it's going to be pretty prominent from the freeway," said Brian McLemore, executive vice president of development and marketing for the Manor's parent company Pacific Retirement Services, on Thursday. The estimated $8 million project goes before the Medford Site Plan and Architectural Commission Friday, where it is expected to get approval. The hotel, which will employ 25 to 30, will go to bid later this month or in February with construction scheduled to begin April 2. Browning and Associates of Wichita, Kan., designed the L-shaped main building, which wraps round an indoor pool, fitness center and lobby. Advertisement McLemore said the firm was hired because of its past work with Hilton and InterCoastal Hospitality LLC, based in Monroe, La., the firm that will operate the hotel. Studios, along with one- and two-bedroom suites, will be bigger than typical lodging rooms. All will have kitchenettes to accommodate guests staying for several days or longer. They range from 400 to 650 square feet, said Stan Jones, director of development for InterCoastal. The hotel won't have a restaurant, but will have a breakfast area for its guests, who will typically stay three to 10 days. George Rubaloff, who oversees Medford's site plan review and commercial permit section, said he was impressed by the architect's approach. "When you have a building of this size, it has a lot of mass and that's the thing we think about," Rubaloff said. "There are things you can do to break and relieve that. It's been treated with texture and different type of exteriors and architectural features — things that create a shadow line to break up the mass." Landscape architect Robert Foster of Lake Oswego also drew praise from the planner. Rubaloff said city staff was recommending approval. With verbal approval, the final order would come two weeks later. The project was part of a master plan approved by the city in 1998 and other than an eastward shift of 200 feet to accommodate the interchange, the hotel was pretty much in keeping with the original plan. "It's going to be big asset to the Manor, where we see a lot of visitors who are looking at our community or seeing family," McLemore said. "And now we have a lot of people playing Centennial Golf Course (which opened last spring). We see it as a nice partnership." While the Hilton's primary clientele will be related to the Manor properties, McLemore anticipates it will appeal to plenty of Interstate 5 travelers as well. "I think it's a great addition to the south interchange and a much-needed extended-stay hotel product," he said. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or at [email protected] Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com