by Wayne Lee – Reporter/Photographer
The Eagle Point City Council held their regular meeting March 24, where the main topic was two new proposals for developing the Old Fire House property. There were two new competing proposals after the previous deal expired despite four extensions of the deadline over a two-year period. The new proposals were presented by Scott Sinner of Dalco, Inc. and PMCI Inc. And the second from Snyder Creek Development.
According to Scott Sinner of Scott Sinner Consulting, Inc., their plan is to build a two-story building along Main St. with four commercial units on the ground floor and apartments on the second floor. The design shows two would have balconies overlooking Main St. The parcels of land that face Loto St. would all be two-story residential apartments, 28 total with 16 two-bedroom units. They also plan to widen the alley separating the two sides to provide additional parking for 31 cars.
The second proposal came from Snyder Creek Development. Their proposal is to construct a 5,600 square foot tap house brew pub and restaurant because they state they already have an interested party willing to make the commitment. They also plan to include two 5,600 square-foot commercial office spaces which they state they will occupy one and lease the other.
Their plan also includes two-story apartments along Loto St. that would total16 units and a total of 41 parking spaces. Their plan includes a driveway between Loto and the existing alley that would provide parking spaces for apartment residents.
Community Development Director Mike Upston cautioned the council that these are only initial proposals and City Administrator Aaron Prunty added that this has yet to come before the council as an agenda item for them to make a choice. It was strictly informational.
The other main item on the agenda was a presentation from Fire District 3 Fire Chief Mike Hussey giving his annual report. For instance, the district received 9,156 calls last year. Eagle Point’s Engine 23 received 3,294 of those calls, led by Lakeland Senior Living with 224 and the VA Medical Center with 162 calls. This shows why rescue and emergency calls for medical services numbered 5,815 while actual fires numbered 229.
For those interested in statistics, May had the highest call volume of the year, Friday was the day of the week with the highest call volume and for whatever reason, 2 p.m. was the hour of the day with the most calls.
Additionally, the city swore in their two newest officers, Estaban King and Samuel Marshall. King is an immigrant from Colombia who just became a U.S. citizen in January. Marshall was born in Portland who graduated from South Medford High School, was an Eagle Scout and served in the National Guard. Both are off for weeks of extensive training before they hit the streets of Eagle Point.
In other business, the city awarded a contract to JL Engineering for the design of new sidewalks. The city had received a grant from ODOT for improvements to S. Royal Ave., but the project fell through. They then request permission to use the money for a different project, and the state agreed. The project will create new sidewalks, one on the west side of Shasta Av. From Loto to the covered bridge and the area on the south side of East Main St. Across from Little Butte School.
And for those of you wondering about all the work being done on Linn Rd. Near Hwy. 62 recently, it was to repair a major water line break, according to Public Works Director Bret Marshall.
