Urban Renewal Agency unveils possible landscaping plan
About 100 people turned out last night at the Florence Events Center to get a sneak preview of possible improvements to the Highway 101 corridor between the Bridge and 126. The Oregon Department of Transportation has a major resurfacing project planned for that stretch beginning next year and the thought is to install what designers call “streetscape”: sidewalks, landscaping and other features; that would encourage private development and promote economic growth.
On one side of the room were aerial photos of four specific areas within the Florence Urban Renewal District that would be targeted and encouraged to redevelop.
On the other side was a ten-foot long drawing of the proposed streetscape extending from the bridge to the eastern city limits on Highway 126.
The forum was presented by Leland Consulting Group in conjunction with the Florence Urban Renewal Agency.
Leland will present additional information about possible improvements to the agency board this evening at six pm at City Hall.
Agencies exploring combining behind the scene services
Operationally they would likely remain separate, but behind the scenes, two emergency services agencies in the Florence area are talking about ways to save money without reducing services. George Henry has the story:
Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue, and the Western Lane Ambulance district are looking at ways the two agencies might be able to pool resources through a state sanctioned IGA. Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue Chief Jim Langborg explained:
Jim Langborg – “This would be an inter-governmental agreement for providing shared administrative services to both the fire district and the ambulance district.”
Chief Langborg says preliminary meetings are under way that will look at all of the administrative jobs and determine if moving forward is beneficial.
Jim Langborg: — “The direction that we have been given by each respective board is to research if it would cut costs. And if it is functionally feasible, int the sense that is this just adding more work to somebody, or is this something that is manageable and more importantly, is this something that would actually be more efficient.”
Langborg said there will be workshops to discuss their findings and then the information collected would go before both boards. The process is expected to take several weeks before any binding decisions are made.
Small sewage spill reported in Reedsport
No lasting damage is expected from a small sewage leak discovered yesterday afternoon in Reedsport. City workers found that an alder tree had broken a sewer lateral line, resulting in a small spill into a drainage swale, alongside a pathway in Bicentennial Park.
The swale is about 50-feet away from Providence Creek.
A city spokesperson said no water or natural resources contamination occurred. A crew made a temporary repair yesterday and cleaned up the spill. They’re expected to finish permanent repairs today or tomorrow. The state Department of Environmental Quality was notified.
Transportation assistance offered to encourage kids in parks
A National Park Foundation grant will help offset transportation costs for schools sending children to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area for field trips.
Brian Hoeh (HO), the visitor center manager at Cape Perpetua said each year they host about 40 different school groups, totaling about 2-thousand students. Tight school budgets can sometimes make the trips unaffordable.
In order to be eligible for transportation reimbursement, the school trips must include fourth graders. That’s because of the White House’s “Every Kid In a Park” initiative. It was set up with the goal to connect youth with nature through public lands. The program focuses on fourth graders specifically.
Hoeh said if any area school wanted to know more about the program… or the transportation assistance… they should call him or Cape Perpetua staff directly.
School Board reviewing levy request
Two public meetings are planned for next week to explain a $36.9-million capital levy request headed to the ballot in May. Siuslaw School District board members are expected to approve a ballot title this evening, asking voters to approve the levy. The money would be used to pay for a new high school. The current high school, at 30th and Oak Street, opened in the fall of 1970 and is aging.
District officials will meet with the public in two open houses at Siuslaw Public Library next week. The first will be Thursday March 3rd at six PM; then another the next morning at 11:30.
Board members meet tonight at the district office at 6:30 in a special meeting to consider a resolution placing the levy on the ballot.
Local gas prices rise slightly, still below state and national averages
Retail prices at the gas pump are hovering at prices not seen since the Great Recession because of abundant supplies and low crude oil costs. The average national price for a gallon of regular gasoline according to Triple-A increased a penny this past week; it’s at $1.71. Meanwhile the statewide average in Oregon went down a penny and is at $1.90.
Locally… the average cash price for a gallon of gas went up a nickel this week and is at $1.67.
Marie Dodds with Triple-A says she expects gas prices to move higher in the coming weeks as refineries shut down for regular maintenance and they shift to higher cost summer-blend fuels. Increase demand as more people head out on the highway will also help to drive up costs.
