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SUNNY Temp: 68 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Sunday, September 28, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 26, 2003 Downtown office space becomes hot commodity By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Six months ago there was an abundance of vacancies downtown, but these days it’s slim pickin’s for office space. "Downtown is pretty hot right now," said Medford Urban Renewal Director Don Burt, who attributes the shift in part to the success of the agency’s facade improvement program. The bottom line is downtown is more attractive to tenants, he said. The program, which began in April 2000, contributes up to $15,000 per remodeling project in the historic area. Scott Henselman, owner of Henselman Realty & Management, said downtown needs more offices to rent. Advertisement "There are very few vacancies," he said. "There’s definitely need for additional downtown space in Medford." He said he manages 50 spaces, and of those only a single office space is available for rent. The crunch could be eased by Lawrence’s Jewelers adding seven offices above its retail store, a project that’s already under construction. Lawrence’s owners are asking urban renewal to loan them up to $700,000 to cover costs for the renovation project, which the agency will consider at its board meeting Tuesday. Since $700,000 would about wipe out the agency’s Historic and Seismic Renovation Loan Program, the agency will consider accepting private donations and other sources to funnel through their program, Burt said. Lawrence’s Jewelers, the oldest continuous family operated business in Medford, is in the 1890 building at 232 E. Main St. What began as the repair of a roof leak in 2000 led to seismic retrofitting and major remodeling for the jewelry business. "It kept getting more complicated," said Jerry Horton, co-owner of Lawrence’s. About $300,000 in repairs have been put into the building so far, he said. "When all is said and done it will probably be about a million," he said, adding that they’re hoping the office rentals will help pay back the loan. No tenants are committed, but people have expressed an interest. Space will be available next spring at the earliest, he said. More space will be available with RE/MAX Real Estate moving from its 328 S. Central Ave. office out to Navigator’s Landing on Heathrow Way. Urban Renewal also will consider at its board meeting modifying the facade improvement program to expand beyond commercial projects to include residential properties. And members will consider going beyond their $15,000 matching grant limit for large commercial projects. The agency has so far contributed $130,000 toward the program. Among recently completed projects are the Woolworth Building and Terra Firma, and there are seven other projects under construction, including Heritage Motors Garage and Sal Mellelo’s building at West Main and Holly streets, where MURA is a tenant. The MURA board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Medford Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times