Document text
58 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, September 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 1, 2004 A new sign welcoming drivers to Medford, installed Monday and Tuesday just west of the north Medford Interchange near the Rogue Valley Mall, eventually will be surrounded with landscaping. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell New sign turns a few heads By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Medford’s latest piece of art is turning heads on a busy highway corridor. "I like that, it’s cool," said Medford resident Perry Ruben. "I like modern art anyway." Ruben was one of several customers fueling up at the Shell station across from Medford’s new entry sign, which was installed Monday and Tuesday. The sign, on Highway 62 near Interstate 5’s north Medford interchange across from Target and the Rogue Valley Mall, was built by John Deller of Wisdom Signs and Graphics in Phoenix. "It’s kinda strange-looking," said Kyle Hayes of Central Point, adding that it’s different than some of the standard welcome signs other cities have. "It’s definitely noticeable — it’s a nice thing to have." Advertisement Elizabeth Allgood, who lives outside of Jacksonville, knows that everyone defines art differently. "I co-own an art gallery in Jacksonville, so I know how hard it is to get everyone to agree," she said, adding that this sign was a good choice. "It’ll add some class to the area, and that’s what Medford needs." "It’s cool, I guess," said Brian Sutherland of Medford until he heard the $29,000 price tag. "I don’t know if it was worth that much," he said. "It’s a little different story when you know how much it costs." The steel sculpture actually ended up costing $31,400 because the city asked the artist to increase its size to make it more visible. Pete Young, project coordinator with the city’s parks department, said staff members asked the artist to make the sign 8 feet tall with 12-inch letters rather than the planned 6 feet with 10-inch letters. He said dirt will be brought in and some low-profile lighting will be installed. Tom Madara, landscape architect and owner of Madara Design Inc. of Central Point, is planning the landscaping for the area. He said low evergreen plants and colorful flowers will be planted, although he’s waiting until work is complete on the sign to decide which plants to use. Eventually there will be landscaping along the entire barren berm and rounding the corner, he said. "The intention by the city is to landscape that whole area," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities