State of the City
Last week’s state of the city address from Mayor Rob Ward outlined several areas the City of Florence will be focused on and some of what the city has undergone during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the look ahead Mayor Ward outlined several capital projects that have been in the planning stages for several years, but the Covid 19 pandemic caused a delay in finishing up the planning, but Mayor Ward says now the construction is expected to get underway including the extension of the work already done on Rhododendron Drive.
“The long awaited realignment and improvement of Rhododendron drive from the Wildwinds subdivision to 35th street is planned for construction at the beginning of this year. it will be a large project and will no doubt create some inconveniences for travel along the corridor.”
The mayor also mentioned the Miller Park Play structure and the estuary trail. He also referenced the hotel that is planned for Quince street across from the FEC and said the hopes are that construction will begin sometime this year.
Peace Health Rehab Center
If you have used the Peace Harbor Medical Center Rehabilitation clinic you may be interested in knowing that the facility will be undergoing a reconstruction. This will be the first time work has been done on the facility since it began operations in 2007. The 1.3 million dollar renovation will expand the floor plan of the facility, include new and more equipment and will also increase staffing. In addition to physical therapies the clinic also specializes in speech pathology services. It will also include new services such at lymphedema services, chronic pain intervention, and low vision and driving assessments.
Jail Tours
With a vote upcoming for the planned jail levy renewal just months away Sheriff Cliff Harrold is offering residents a tour of the facilities. Harrold says there are a lot of great innovative things happening at the jail and he wants to afford the community the opportunity to see how effective the monies have been used. One way is the mental health services they offer.
“we’ve specifically made some investments in mental health specialists, mental health licensed folks in our jail. we have 5 of them, that’s the most of any jail in the state of Oregon.”
Over the next several months on Wednesdays and Saturdays you can tour the jail. Information and to reserve a time go to publicsafetylevy.org/tours