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Eagle Point growth soars Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Darbi Dabisepeda cleans the construction site of a new home in the Eagle Point Golf Community Wednesday. The development, which will include 650 units, is one of 14 in progress or planned in the Eagle Point area. The city, near Medford but with a rural lifestyle, is a magnet for development By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT - Residential growth is Eagle Point's middle name. With 14 subdivisions in progress ranging from 20 units to more than 600, the city is gearing up for a projected 33 percent population increase in the next five years. City Administrator David Hussell estimates Eagle Point's population will grow from its current 6,000 residents to 8,000 by 2007. Developers have been drawn to Eagle Point, says City Planner Bunny Lincoln. "We were kind of the last bastion of undeveloped land," she says, adding that Eagle Point has fewer building restrictions than some other communities. Gary Whittle, developer of several subdivisions in the city, says the housing market has been strong. "Eagle Point sales in the last couple years have probably been better than anywhere in the valley," he says. He attributes the real estate success to the affordable housing costs and the appeal of a rural lifestyle. "People like living within a 15-minute drive of Medford but having more of a country atmosphere than you get in Medford," he says. A survey the city conducted a year ago showed that most residents drive elsewhere to work, Lincoln says. "Eighty-five percent of the work force gets in their cars and goes out of town," she says. Hussell says that while city officials hope to be able to supply some employment to the area, they realize that there won't be a major commercial or industrial element. "This will always, to a degree, be a bedroom community to the Medford-White City business component," he says. At least one longtime Eagle Point resident wishes the new growth were directed downtown. Eagle Point Museum chief administrative officer Barbara Hegne says that she has nothing against development, but she fears that the city isn't focusing enough on cultivating tourism. "I've been (at the museum) 12 years and I've seen a tremendous decline (in visitors)," she says. The city needs to put its energy into promoting the area's history and tourism, she says, adding that many people driving up and down Highway 62 don't even know the city has a covered bridge. "They're not coming in off the highway," she says. Hussell agrees that improving the downtown commercial district must be the city's next focus, and officials have been working on plans to bring tourists in off the highway and to make downtown pedestrian-friendly. Part of the plan includes the Harnish Wayside along Highway 62, the new Loto Street Bridge, the repaired Main Street Bridge, parking lots at Royal Avenue and Main Street, and a new library on Main Street. Other construction planned for the next five years includes new elementary and middle schools off Barton Road, a new fire station on Loto Street and the extension of Crystal Drive to Highway 62, providing access on the north end of town. Hussell says he's looking for ways to maintain Eagle Point's personality while ensuring quality growth. "The challenge for Eagle Point is maintaining the rural character of the community and maintaining the safe feel without having concerns for the urban kinds of problems," says Hussell. "We want to make sure that Eagle Point can maintain a level of livability." Here is a list of the developments and approximate number of units planned or in progress in Eagle Point, with homes ranging in price from $100,000 to $750,000. North end: Crystal View Heights, 80 units. Stoneview and Devonwood, 27 units. Angel View, 20 units. Butte Crest, 150 units. McLoughlin Meadows, 80 units. South end: Eagle Point Golf Community, 650 units plus resort hotel. Poppy Village, 83 units. Echoes of the Ponderosa, 105 units. Pine Ridge, 24 units. Glenwood, 43 units. Bridgeport, 20 units. Hillsborough Estates, 30 units. Blue Sky Estates, 20 units. Quail Run, 105 units. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.