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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Host families forge lasting friendships with returning Britt musicians ... Our View: Sams Valley residents outmatched in power struggle ... Ashland struggles with increase in 911 calls ... Host families forge lasting friendships with returning Britt musicians ... Our View: Sams Valley residents outmatched in power struggle ... Ashland struggles with increase in 911 calls ... OUR VIEW Our View: The tangled web at Medford's Northgate Centre Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 1, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 10:46 AM Posted Apr. 1, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 10:46 AM » Social News Medford shoppers have become accustomed to using a little extra care while navigating the cramped confines of the parking lot at Northgate Centre that serves Trader Joe's, REI and other businesses. If Costco follows through with a possible new store just west of the existing center, it could mean even worse congestion. It's not Costco's fault that the existing Northgate Centre has had traffic issues from the beginning. If the company decides to build there, however, Medford planners should consider how that added traffic will affect what is already an awkward arrangement. The main issue is the limited access into the Northgate property. The narrow entry leading from Court Street brings a large volume of traffic that often stacks up at the entrance to the existing parking lot and adds to the general sense of congestion in that parking lot. The proposed Costco site would have several access points, one of which would be along that same entrance road, which in reality is little more than a wide alley. The city of Medford essentially washes its hands of the situation, saying it doesn't tell private businesses how to design their parking lots and that the existing Northgate parking lot was built to meet minimum standards. Maybe the problem lies in the word "minimum," for it certainly does not seem to have been built to handle much beyond that. Now imagine a 155,000-square-foot Costco — and 715 parking spaces — farther along that access street, along with a share of the accompanying traffic. While the Costco store would have its own entrances off McAndrews Road, North Central Avenue and Highway 238, many customers will use the entrance off Court as the most direct route from downtown. Given the limited access and other difficulties associated with the existing Northgate lot, it might behoove city planners to require some improvements along that entrance before allowing a huge warehouse store and accompanying parking lot to go in next door. A spokesman for Regency Centers, which operates Northgate, says once the expansion is complete, traffic flow will be "very, very good." We hope his optimism is warranted. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 1, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 1, 2015 at 10:46 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501