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Neighbors to speak on sidewalk proposal Neighbors plan to speak before the Medford City Council tonight to object to a sidewalk proposed along a busy street on the city's east side. The sidewalk on a 1,550-foot stretch of Hillcrest Road would run through landscaped yards, flower beds, fences and retaining walls, neighbors say. And they contend it would change the character of the street, actually encouraging more traffic. Neighbors also are unhappy that the city never officially informed them of the project. They said they first learned about it by reading the newspaper. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Medford City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St. City engineers estimate the project would cost $122,700; the city is getting more than $97,000 of that from a state grant which becomes available this week. At a study session of the council Wednesday, Public Works Director Cory Crebbin said the sidewalk is an important link in the city's effort to build a sidewalk from downtown to North Phoenix Road more than two miles to the east. The land for the sidewalk is in the city's right of way. Crebbin said the city has identified two trees that would be affected. The sidewalk would be built around them. Crebbin noted Wednesday that the city recently held a Neighborhood Walk in the area. City managers walk door to door in the monthly program and speak with neighbors about their concerns. On the walks, he said, six residents favored more sidewalks in the area while one was firmly opposed. Crebbin said because of neighbors' concerns about lack of early notice about this project, the city plans to begin notifying residents earlier in the process when projects will affect them. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA