by Wayne Lee – Reporter/Photographer
The Eagle Point Neighborhood Enhancement Commission met May 4 to discuss their latest assignment from Eagle Point Mayor Kathy Sell to research a possible arch or monument near Hwy. 62 that would draw people into Eagle Point as they traveled to and from destinations such as Crater Lake.
Basically, the commission was assigned to research examples that other cities have employed and possibly come up with something that works well for Eagle Point. The city currently has the “Welcome to the Neighborhood” signs along the highway at each end of the city limits.
“I feel very strongly it should be on Linn Rd. or the visitor center on Royal Rd.,” said Commissioner Lorin Myers. However, the first 100 feet of Linn Rd. is controlled by ODOT and they won’t allow it. Commissioner Jean Jaeger felt an arch would be too big but noted one of the examples from another city employed an arch with an eagle at the top with its wings spread.
Jaeger added, “Whatever we choose will introduce our community and it belongs on Hwy. 62. It would bring in more business and tourists.” Commission Vice Chair Wyn Lewis displayed various examples she found on the internet that included a variety of arches and monument signs, one of which was rejected by commissioners as looking too much like a gravestone. Lewis said she would like to see, “something more substantial than what we have now.” However, she added she prefers the monument style to an archway.
City Administrator Aaron Prunty noted that there is no money budgeted for this project, and that city staff could help in producing examples that include the city’s logo. It was even suggested that the design could be an art project for local high school students. The commission will continue to do research and report back at their next meeting just after the Fourth of July holiday.
