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OSF theater debate changes character Ashland folks end brouhaha By DANI DODGE ASHLAND - With the specter of Carpenter Hall's demise removed, the discussion between the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and city residents about a new theater shifted in character Monday night. Instead of strident voices decrying the destruction of history, the meeting was filled with expressions of respect and adoration, along with the airing of some long-standing grievances held by neighbors. "The theater seems to be embraced now," Paul Nicholson, OSF executive director, said after the meeting. "Although, I know we'll never make everyone happy." About 50 people attended the Monday night open forum in the Angus Bowmer Theatre, and it was broadcast on public television. The meeting was the festival's second televised forum since it began openly discussing building a new theater to replace the Black Swan stage, a former used car showroom. The festival's first plan, unveiled earlier this year, involved moving the 1923-era Carpenter Hall from Pioneer Street and building a new theater on the lot. But historic preservationists and other community members decried the plan as insensitive. Last week, the festival raised the curtain on a new plan which includes building a theater in half of the city-owned Hargadine parking lot behind Carpenter Hall, and creating a double-decker parking garage. The plan would add about 36 parking spaces to the downtown. Many who went to Monday's forum saw the new theater and parking garage as catalysts for improving parking and transportation in the neighborhoods surrounding the theater. Michael O'Brien, who lives near the festival, said the parking crunch is so severe that people ask him if they can pay to park in his front yard. Lars Svendsgaard, who lives about a block from the theater complex, praised the festival's plan to add parking spaces as "unbelievable." He asked that officials also consider shuttling audience members into the downtown instead of allowing big tour buses to idle on residential streets. "We serve as an unofficial parking lot for the festival," Svendsgaard, said. "There are times we can't leave the house because we know the motor home is waiting." Several people asked the festival to consider closing Pioneer Street, or make it one-way to cut down on congestion. Nicholson said, though, that the city has resisted that proposal. Several other people expressed concern about the fly loft proposed for the new theater. It will stick up about 8 feet above the ridgeline of the proposed theater, officials said. Artistic Director Libby Appel said the loft is still a matter of discussion, but very important for staging quality productions. Nicholson said the facade of the new theater would be "edgy and muscular;" a reflection of the kind of plays people will see there. Many of those who attended the Monday night forum came to speak in favor of the theater and to learn more about the plans. "When I retired I quit commuting and moved here, primarily because of the festival," said Charles Walker, a retired English professor from Southern California. Another man said: "I support the new theater ... and I'm with you 100 percent." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA