Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-27 Downtown Beautification Improvement Ad Hoc Committee PacketMOMU Minutes Downtown Beautification Improvement ad hoc Committee March 20, 2014 Gresham Room, Ashland Public Library 7:30 a.m. Attendance Kencarm, Dawkins, Hammond, David, Jensen, Friend, Seffinger, Thompson, Beam, Lemhouse (Council liaison), Seltzer (staff liaison) Absent: none Guest Dave Kanner (City Administrator) Call to Order Chair Kencairn called the meeting to order at 7:30 am. Public Input Cynthia Wolf of Adelante Gallery would like the committee to consider improvements to the stairway and walkway from the parking structure to Main Street between Earthly Goods and Starbucks and Adelante Gallery. Wolfe submitted a letter and photos to the committee and addressed her specific concerns including: improved lighting along the staircase and walkway, people sitting on the Earthly Goods ledge and smoking, improved landscaping (possibly planters of flowers). She was especially concerned about the amount of smoke flowing into her business and into the foyer of Earthly Goods and asked about enforcement of the "no -smoking within 10 feet" ordinance. David Sherr passed out cards with the url of the facebook page related to Plaza petitioners and encouraged the committee members to visit the page for more information. He recommends the committee hire a historian as a consultant for all the downtown improvement projects. Approval of Minutes Minutes from the March 11 meeting were approved with corrections. Discussion of Previously Identified Projects The committee agreed to go through the list to identify projects that might possibly be completed in the next 8 weeks. The identified the following: • Improve landscaping at city parking lots (specifically Lithia Way and Pioneer and Water Street) • Welcome signs at entrances to Ashland • Remove asphalt adjacent to the curb on Lithia Way between Pioneer and Oak Street (gas station) Pedestrian lights adjacent to stairway between parking garage and Main Street Improvements to Lithia Way right of way adjacent to Stop and Shop and Cafe 116 M/S Thompson/Dawkins to focus on the above list of items for the short term. Motion passes. Landscaping _ ayparking lots Action: Seffinger will follow through with parks about improving the landscaping at the parking lots. Lemhouse will ask the Mayor to ask Parks to appoint Bruce Dickens as a liaison between Parks and the Committee. Welcome signs Kanner noted that there are three locations in need of "welcome to Ashland" signs: at the train trestle, exit 14 and exit 11. Seltzer commented that the committee could go two different directions for signs: simple, square traditional or more as three dimensional artistic signs. Either way, the signs must comply with ODOT standards. Once the committee has a sense of the cost of traditional signs, they could decide whether to move forward in the short term and later replace them with more artistic signs. Action: Seltzer will research and bring back to the committee an estimate of installing traditional signage and ODOT requirements. Remove Asphalt The removal of the asphalt and adding topsoil and new trees is fairly straightforward. The issue is irrigation. Dawkins commented that he recollects that park row is not city property and is owned by the property owner (gas station). Action: Seltzer will check with Community Development about ownership of that right of way. Seltzer will ask Parks to determine if it would be possible to bring city irrigation to the right of way. Pedestrian Lighting at Staircase The committee agreed that lighting and other improvements to the walkway between Earthly Goods and Starbucks could be both a short term and a long term project. Action: Seltzer will ask the electric department to bid the cost of purchasing and installing lights along the stairway. All agree that lighting and a possibly a mural along the wall of Earthly Goods would be another improvement but could not be done in the short term. These ideas will be added to the long term list. Other The committee has loosely defined "short term" to be projects that can be accomplished in the next 2 months and "long term" as projects that can be accomplished over the next three years. Thompson would like the committee to consider adding bench maintenance in Bluebird Park to the list of long term projects. Lemhouse suggests adding two items to the long term list: 1) Consider removal of the sidewalk along East Main (across from Nimbus). Due to the liquidambar trees, the sidewalk has buckled and become a tripping hazard 2) Consider asking downtown property owners to contribute to a sidewalk maintenance fund to pay for cleaning Action: Seltzer will re-work/re-order the list to reflect the committee decisions. Improvements to the Black Swan Plaza/Fountain were mentioned and Kanner explained that area is the purview of OSF. OSF is currently working with a landscape designer on a redesign of for that area. He suggests the committee wait until OSF ideas have been developed and then determine how the City can assist. Hammon asked what is/could be done about graffiti around town. Seltzer explained when graffiti on public property is identified and brought to the city's attention (usually via My Ashland app) Kip Keaton of APD removes the graffiti. He does not remove graffiti on private property. Seltzer will include information in the city newsletter about the app and graffiti and ask the Chamber to include the same information in its newsletter. Agenda Development The committee agreed to focus next meeting discussion on: • Evaluation of the short term list based on staff research • Criteria development of future projects Meeting adjourned at 9:55 am. March 20, 2014 Previously Identified Projects Updated based on Committee input Short term projects (could be completed in two months) 1. Improve landscaping at city parking lots (specifically Lithia Way and Pioneer, Water Street and "Elks" lot) 2. Welcome signs at entrances to Ashland 3. Remove asphalt adjacent to the curb on Lithia Way between Pioneer and Oak Street (gas station) 4. Pedestrian lights adjacent to stairway between parking garage and Main Street 5. Improvements to right of way adjacent to Stop and Shop and Cafe 116 Lon term erm projects (could be completed over the next three years) 1. Plaza Projects: o Free standing planters o Moveable tables and chairs o Replace pavers o Trellis over seat walls on Plaza o Add denser (pedestrian -unfriendly) plants to planting beds on Plaza 2. Black Swan Plaza/Fountain o Wait for OSF design and then determine how the City can assist. 3. Tree Wells 4. Corner of North Main/Winburn Way 5. Historical markers around downtown 6. Park bench maintenance in Bluebird Park 7. Removal of sidewalk along East Main (across from Nimbus) 8. Downtown property owners contribute to a sidewalk maintenance fund Non -downtown beautification/improvements • Black powder coat the 25 cobra lights on North Main and hang colorful street pennants. Estimated cost: $20,000 (7,500 for powder coating and $12,500 for street pennants). • Hang colorful street pennants at Exit 14 oveipass and Ashland Street to Siskiyou Blvd. Estimated cost $10,000. 0 Hang small street pennants in Railroad District: $5000 Examples of completed beautification/improvement projects: • Black powder coating of downtown cobra lights (TOT funds) • Plaza renovation (listed in the EDS, TOT funds and department budget) • Planting downtown planters (TOT funds and department budget) • Sidewalk cleaning (department budget) • New Trash Cans (listed in the EDS, department budget) • Remove telephone booths (department budget) • General signage improvements at city parking lots (TOT funds and department budget) • Container planters with new trees in front of the Black Swan (TOT funds) 2 Received 3/23/14 David Sherr Downtown Beautification Committee: The Downtown Beautification Committee has received an "identified project" from the city administrator which proposes to discard the marble basin of the fountain at the Chamber of Commerce, remove the side pedestals, and replace the large basin with a smaller one. I did not picture it here, but the description on the list of Previously Identified Projects describes a remodeling of the fountain, with walls going down form the shoulder ledges, and a smaller semicircular basin nearer ground level. The cost of doing all this removal would be approx. $35 to 40k. At present, this is a very attractive fountain with a graceful basin that needs restoration work, and perhaps some modification. To address existing problems with the current fountain, instead of removing the basin and truncating the back wall, I propose the following redesign: This includes adding a raised semicircular inner basin which would serve as a smaller fountain, and filling in the space between the outer and inner basins with plantings, as shown below. This may be a more economical approach than completely discarding the large basin and refabricating part of the back wall. I also think it would be quite attractive and more fitting for the site. Benefits over the previously identified proposal: -Far less costly to fabricate and install. There would be no demolition work necessary. -Smaller Basin is the sole marble fabrication, would only have to be approximately 24" deep, would be completely sealed and would rest upon a hidden support under the plantings. -Raised fountain would attract less debris than lower proposed fountain. Closer to eye level fountain is more pleasing to look at. Plus it's easier to maintain. (Water was not shown in these renderings, but you can visualize it). -New plants could be irrigated from existing water supply and irrigation system in back of existing fountain. They would be easy to maintain if chosen properly. Please consider this proposal in your weekly discussions for downtown improvements. Thank you, Sincerely, David Sherr PS - there are three file formats enclosed in case you have difficulty opening any one of them. Plaza enhancement; Expand the sidewalks in front of the stores on the north side of the Plaza to 12 feet. There still remains ample room for traffic. Replace and add trees of London plane Sycamore. This is the quintessential, perfect Street tree. We can use trees from the Grove across from the band shell in Lithia Park. They can be prepared to be replanted and bonsai to any desired configuration. Install a 16 foot fountain. I would be happy to design and build this fountain, not including materials. This fountain can be a community project taking advantage of the great skills our community can offer. Place donut shaped benches around existing and new trees. This seating arrangement allows two or three people to converse, but it's inconvenient for more than three and a time. Remove the concrete ramparts and replace them with groundcover and bushes. This eliminates the possibility of groups of people sifting on his concrete benches. Employee large concrete planters, perhaps 4 feet in diameter. These planners would be movable to allow reconfiguring traffic flow and assembly areas. These planners can be moved with the forklift Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 the Plaza' good One- ate reassign ��s a all its good intentions ab° fttlie k laza, ublic in the desig were the p of the recommendations a small committee of City most fhe made by hers land staff Council mem has driven one design elerr�ex1t trey pavers, was everyone cry, the g t know . wsait, we still don or who made, by ' c vision was rnacle, how that decision ,There has been some involved. that one• As was uck passing on massive b the City Council admits that some it, stands mere made ;end mistakes of. the Plaza is necessary. all it needed in the tweaking ,�• 'That's probably heya it's only rnaney, f1rst place, a lot of the citizenry Needless to say, isn't happy. ci si 35`%/a Yes, �' " o, toad design° Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Reasons why major improvements must be made to the Plaza: #1: It's disliked 2 to 1 by people here. #2: The Plaza is oppressively hot in the summertime. It's bad for business. Doesn't match feeling of historic downtown district. #3: Salmon pavers were shown and promised to public for 9 months, but Gray pavers were secretly chosen, unbeknownst to the public, and installed. The public justifiably feels it was misled by the process. Please refer to published Picture of Plaza showing Salmon Pavers. -The Plaza is by far the most pressing issue facing this committee. Given the importance of Plaza revitalization for so many people, I suggest that this committee recommend to council that it form a specific Plaza Restoration Task Force to immediately deliberate on how the Plaza can be brought back to a state that supports our Downtown Historic District. The council must address the co the cold austere look of the Plaza Ashland to our visitors, to suppor t There is no way this current Plaza is good for our businesses. The homeless are still downtown because of the location and proximity to handouts. But many tourists and locals are driven away and avoid the Plaza to escape the excessive summertime heat and the cold starkness of the Plaza. It needs to be made more inviting ASAP! The pavers need to be replaced by colored pavers, much more greenery needs to be added, and a fountain or arbor focal point is strongly recommended by countless petitioners. I urge you again to consult an Architectural historian to guide us thru this process. The approach you are currently taking is piecemeal. A copper top for the info booth here, tables and chairs there. Planters there. Don't play dress -up dollhouse with our Plaza! Consult experts! -Committee members: do not put the Plaza issue on the back burner. It's too important to too many people here for you to ignore. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 This Committee Must Recommend to the Council that Ashland Plaza be completely Restored to a State That Supports Our Beautiful Downtown Historic District •Next week there is a session of this committee devoted to Plaza improvement issues. Many suggestions for Plaza improvement will be made at that time. But for the next two minutes I wish to review exactly why major improvements need to be made to our Plaza: Reasons why major improvements must be made to the Plaza: #1: It's disliked 2 to 1 by people here. #2: The Plaza is oppressively hot in the summertime. It's bad for business. Doesn't match feeling of historic downtown district. #3: Salmon pavers were shown and promised to public for 9 months, but Gray pavers were secretly chosen, unbeknownst to the public, and installed. Please refer to published Picture of Plaza showing Salmon Pavers. • Letter from former Tree Commissioner Bryan Holley: The rushed, over -budget, tree -killing so called restoration of our beautiful formerly Historic Plaza represents the worst public policy nightmare out of several major nightmares to hit our fair City over the last decade. The Mayor and City Administrator need to issue a statement and a timeline, explaining to all Ashlanders the motives behind and reasons for this rushed public project, which many believe resulted in an ugly, grey, skatepark outcome. If everything the City did on this project was on the up and up, then the City Administrator or Mayor should easily be able to explain the sequence of events, why it had to be done when it was done and with such haste, the initial budget that was suggested, and a complete and final fiscal report as to the ENTIRE cost of this unnecessary destruction of part of our City's history. Bryan Holley •The Plaza is by far the most pressing issue facing this committee. Over 500 petitioners have left comments similar to those of Bryan's. I'd like you all and the public to have copies of these for review. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Given the importance of Plaza revitalization for so many people, suggest that this committee recommend to council that it form a Plaza Restoration Task Force to immediately deliberate on how the Plaza can be brought back to a state that supports our Downtown Historic District. The council must address the concerns that so many here have about the cold austere look of the Plaza for the benefit of the image of Ashland to our visitors, to support our tourist industry, and to do away with this vast dark gray heat -sink that makes the Plaza so uncomfortable for our visitors and residents in the summertime. There is no way this current Plaza is good for our businesses. The homeless are still downtown because of the location and proximity to handouts. But many tourists and locals are driven away and avoid the Plaza to escape the excessive summertime heat and the cold starkness of the Plaza. It needs to be made more inviting ASAP! The pavers need to be replaced by colored pavers, much more greenery needs to be added, and a fountain or arbor focal point is strongly recommended by countless petitioners. I urge you again to consult an Architectural historian to guide us thru this process. The approach you are currently taking is piecemeal. A copper top for the info booth here, tables and chairs there. Planters there. Don't play dress -up dollhouse with our Plaza! Consult experts! -Committee members: do not put the Plaza issue on the back burner. It's too important to too many people here for you to ignore. You have a responsibility to address these issues square on. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 This Committee Must Recommend to the Council that Ashland Plaza be completely Restored to a State That Supports Our Beautiful Downtown Historic District -Next week there is a session of this committee devoted to Plaza improvement issues. Many suggestions for Plaza improvement will be made at that time. But for the next two minutes I wish to review exactly why major improvements need to be made to our Plaza; Reasons why major improvements must be made to the Plaza: #1: It's disliked 2 to 1 by people here. #2. The Plaza is oppressively hot in the summertime. It's bad for business. Doesn't match feeling of historic downtown district. #3. Salmon pavers were shown and promised to public for 9 months, but Gray pavers were secretly chosen, unbeknownst to the public, and installed. Please refer to published Picture of Plaza showing Salmon Pavers. • Letter from former Tree Commissioner Bryan Holley: The rushed, over -budget, tree -killing so called restoration of our beautiful formerly Historic Plaza represents the worst public policy nightmare out of several major nightmares to hit our fair City over the last decade. The Mayor and City Administrator need to issue a statement and a timeline, explaining to all Ashlanders the motives behind and reasons for this rushed public project, which many believe resulted in an ugly, grey, skatepark outcome. If everything the City did on this project was on the up and up, then the City Administrator or Mayor should easily be able to explain the sequence of events, why it had to be done when it was done and with such haste, the initial budget that was suggested, and a complete and final fiscal report as to the ENTIRE cost of this unnecessary destruction of part of our City's history. Bryan Holley -The Plaza is by far the most pressing issue facing this committee. Over 500 petitioners have left comments similar to those of Bryan's. I'd like you all and the public to have copies of these for review. Submitted by bavid Sher 3 27 14 This Committee Must Recommend to the Council that Ashland Plaza be completely Restored to a State That Supports our Beautiful Downtown Historic District •Next week there is a session of this committee devoted to Plaza improvement issues. Many suggestions for Plaza improvement will be made at that time. But for the next two minutes I wish to review exactly why major improvements need to be made to our Plaza: • Letter from former Tree Commissioner Bryan Holley: The rushed, over -budget, tree -killing so called restoration of our beautiful formerly Historic Plaza represents the worst public policy nightmare out of several major nightmares to hit our fair City over the last decade. The Mayor and City Administrator need to issue a statement and a timeline, explaining to all Ashlanders the motives behind and reasons for this rushed public project, which many believe resulted in an ugly, grey, skatepark outcome. If everything the City did on this project was on the up and up, then the City Administrator or Mayor should easily be able to explain the sequence of events, why it had to be done when it was done and with such haste, the initial budget that was suggested, and a complete and final fiscal report as to the ENTIRE cost of this unnecessary destruction of part of our City's history. Bryan Holley •Over 500 petitioners have left comments similar to those of Bryan's. I'd like for you and the public to have copies of these for review. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Reasons why major improvements must be made to the Plaza: #1: It's disliked 2 to 1 by people here. #2: The Plaza is oppressively hot in the summertime. It's bad for business. Doesn't match feeling of historic downtown district. #3: Salmon pavers were shown and promised to public for 9 months, but Gray pavers were secretly chosen, unbeknownst to the public, and installed. The public justifiably feels it was misled by the process. Please refer to published Picture of Plaza showing Salmon Pavers. •The Plaza is by far the most pressing issue facing this committee. Given the importance of Plaza revitalization for so many people, I suggest that this committee recommend to council that it form a specific Plaza Restoration Task Force to immediately deliberate on how the Plaza can be brought back to a state that supports our Downtown Historic District. The council must address the concerns that so many here have about the cold austere look of the Plaza for the benefit of the image of Ashland to our visitors, to support our tourist industry, and to do away with this vast dark gray heat -sink that makes the Plaza so uncomfortable for our visitors and residents in the summertime. There is no way this current Plaza is good for our businesses. The homeless are still downtown because of the location and proximity to handouts. But many tourists and locals are driven away and avoid the Plaza to escape the excessive summertime heat and the cold starkness of the Plaza. It needs to be made more inviting ASAP! The pavers need to be replaced by colored pavers, much more greenery needs to be added, and a fountain or arbor focal point is strongly recommended by countless petitioners. I urge you again to consult an Architectural historian to guide us thru this process. The approach you are currently taking is piecemeal. A copper top for the info booth here, tables and chairs there. Planters there. Don't play dress -up dollhouse with our Plaza! Consult experts! Committee members: do not put the Plaza issue on the back burner. It's too important to too many people here for you to ignore. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Comments from Ashland Residents on the Plaza_ redesign: Posted on FB site: Preserve Ashland's Historic Plaza November 20, 2013 e Letter from former Tree Commissioner Bryan Holley. The rushed, over -budget, tree -killing so called restoration of our beautiful formerly Historic Plaza represents the worst public policy nightmare out of several major nightmares to hit our fair City over the last decade. The Mayor and City Administrator need to issue a statement and a timeline, explaining to all Ashlanders the motives behind and reasons for this rushed public project, which many believe resulted in an ugly, grey, skatepark outcome. If everything the City did on this project was on the up and up, then the City Administrator or Mayor should easily be able to explain the sequence of events, why it had to be done when it was done and with such haste, the initial budget that was suggested, and a complete and final fiscal report as to the ENTIRE cost of this unnecessary destruction of part of our City's history. Bryan Holley • Jessica Prines ASHLAND, OR I am horrified by what was done to the plaza. I don't know one person who likes it. I never sit there any more and I cringe when I walk by. I generally try to avoid it because I find the changes so remarkably ugly. I am especially appalled that the city chose to cut down those big, beautiful, mature trees. What the hell were you thinking? Those trees had been around longer than any of us living now. You seriously had no right to cut them down. I'm competely disgusted by that decision. • Christine Menefee ASHLAND, OR The plaza is supposed to be a happy place for people to gather. There's no reason such a depressing color should have been used, if anyone had been paying attention. I read that the original color was salmon, so why did they change it? e Bev Collins ASHLAND, OR I love my city, and have always been inspired and proud of it's aesthetic. I have lived here for over 35 years, owning property on High St. and now Valley View. The recent alterations to our lovely plaza are shocking... I know no one who likes it. That's rather telling. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Comments from over 500 Petitioners and 65% of those polled: Reasons for signing Petition for Restoration of Our Plaza: • Glen Paris -Stamm PORT TOWNSEND, WA Not in keeping with Shakespeare theatre and ugly. Should have gold, red and blue on the booth too. • Will Richardson MEDFORD, OR I spend much time in Ashland and feel the Plaza is not a 'welcoming center' any longer. • Mglinda Claire ASHLAND, OR One look at our former Historic and beautiful plaza will tell you... • Jessica Prines ASHLAND, OR I am horrified by what was done to the plaza. I don't know one person who likes it. I never sit there any more and I cringe when I walk by. I generally try to avoid it because I find the changes so remarkably ugly. I am especially appalled that the city chose to cut down those big, beautiful, mature trees. What the hell were you thinking? Those trees had been around longer than any of us living now. You seriously had no right to cut them down. I'm competely disgusted by that decision. • Harriet Berman ASHLAND, OR The Plaza reminds me of the old song "Pave Paradise, put up a parking lot." There is nothing beautiful about what should be a jewel in our town. • Debbie Morggn WHITE CITY, OR Ashland is a Vibrant, Quaint, Wonderful Artistic Community with an aura like no other. I have lived in the Rogue Valley all of my life and have craved this town's beauty and incredible soul the whole while. I have always come to visit up till this year. and now I am blessed to live here. I always drive in past the plaza to come home, it used to be so magical, now it looks like a huge parking lot:'( I send wishes to the universe that the prison grey goes away and our beautiful plaza is restored... Blessed Be... • gg&Q tnvarASHLAND, OR Please restore our plaza with creativity and thoughtful planning. I have live in Ashland since the 70's. I love our city. this is the worst thing that has happened to our city so far. The current plaza redesign is totally unacceptable at every level. The Ashland Plaza is the heart of our city. It was recently covered with some grey pavers and concrete ledges. It has no warmth or sense of design. This is a historic and artistic town. It now lacks character. I don't even think to replace it with salmon colored pavers would improve things very much. There needs to be a committee of landscape architects, artists, and planners who can create a beautiful design for our charming city. It needs some plants and trees. It is not a skate park! it needs a sense of rhythm in the way that the pavers are laid down. Take a look the entrance to the SOU Library, Now that is a piece of artwork worthy of being in the city center. We want the citizens and the visitors to hold a warm and charming image of our gathering place. I think our goal should be to restore the Plaza so that it reflects our historic significance as well as being beautiful. Right now it looks like thoughtless rows of grey asphalt just laid down in haste. It should be something that makes the residents, businesses, and visitors happy and proud. Please restore our plaza thoughtfully and creatively. • Kerry g[Cen ASHLAND, OR I care about the BEAUTY of our downtown. These grey pavers were a FLOPII • PatW Marvin ASHLAND, OR Looks are importantH • Ignnie Shaffer ASHLAND, OR Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 This guy ruined the Plaza! e Dianne Schattler ASHLAND, OR we had such a beautiful natural Plaza, now it is gray and dark we need it made something enjoyable to look at again!W! e Ellen Borne LOS ANGELES, CA What a crime to take such a huge amount of money to actually degrade the Plaza! It is up to you now to seek out community input -- the input you should have sought before wrecking the Plaza -- to restore some of the natural aspects of the Plaza -- in fact to increase the amount of green on the Plaza beyond what it used to include -- lawns, trees, bushes, and wooden benches, not concrete. a EgggvThomR= IRVINE, CA As a frequent visitor to Ashland, I share the concerns of local residents about maintaining the character and charm of this unique city. • Christine Menefe ASHLAND, OR The plaza is supposed to be a happy place for people to gather. There's no reason such a depressing color should have been used, if anyone had been paying attention. I read that the original color was salmon, so why did they change it? • donna slua ASHLAND, OR Aparently, there was a flawed process. Who was responsible and why did person/persons have the power to decide? Who involved has respected artistic discerment and judgement. Who were the advisors? a BayCgijn ASHLAND, OR I love my city, and have always been inspired and proud of it's aesthetic. I have lived here for over 35 years, owning property on High St. and now Valley View. The recent alterations to our lovely plaza are shocking... I know no one who likes it. That's rather telling. a Mglissa Mitchell-Hoogg ASHLAND, OR It's too much gray! • Donald WeEtheime ASHLAND, OR I generally do not get caught up in the internal bickering in our town. But, this one is too much to avoid. The character of such a central zone of our city has been muted to the point of listlessness - ennui. It is longer feels like our town at the plaza. So hard to describe in words -- just a subtle tragedy. It must be brought back to life. a edith montgomery ASHLAND, OR When the gray pavers are wet, they look like a continuat!on of the asphalt street, They look stark. a Veronica Ambar Gomez ASHLAND, OR This is important to me because the beauty of this city is intricately connected to the history of this city. Olden charm. A nod to roots. Warmth and attention to detail. Let's restore the plaza to a friendlier, more inviting design! Mn- r Although not a permanent Ashland resident yet, Ashland is where I really feet at HOME, and where I'll probably settle down. I have Ashland in my heart. The Plaza is the heart of Ashland, in any case, it should be well kept and restored, but please, don't turn it into what has been turned. Please, keep Ashland Plaza. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 e Claudia Michell i ASHLAND, OR The plaza should be restored to reflect its original historical charm. The new ugly, grey paver's don't work and the mosaics are dull, drab and lack artistic character. It doesn't at all fit with the beauty of the park and surrounding area. e Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Kayce - We are trying to restore the Plaza and to reform aspects of how the City Council functions. Ashland still has a lot to offer, and we all need to get involved in helping to preserve our beautiful city. e KAYCE GLASSE HOT SPRINGS, AR I used to live there and was thinking of moving back, but the City Council seems to have lost their way. I don't want to live with that, or a desecrated Plaza. e jWtovar ASHLAND, OR because this is the heart of city. e Rik Burns QUEENS, NY The integrity and harmony of the Plaza has been compromised by what seems to be favoritism. Most of the town is in uproar over the lack of consensus during the design phase, and the final product misses the core of what downtown Ashland is. The situation must be rectified. e Kathryn Sonenshine OR, OR I was devastated when I first saw the new FLAT GRAY plaza!! I wouldn't go anywhere near it because I would get so disgusted and UPSET at how Gray and Ugly!! The drawing of salmon ones has radiating design which WOULD BE WAY BETTER. BUT, I think it should EITHER be re -done like that OR with MOSIAC design mixed with SALMON pavers! ALSO- the non -mosaic (outer) sides of benches COULD be the flat backed stones ADDED to soften and give NATURAL character to it (like low wall at entrance of Lithia Park grassy area)!! SO MUCH NICER AND BEAUTIFULII e Robin Weiss ASHLAND, OR I agree, this is a completely failed attempt at a redesign of the Plaza-- an ill-considered eyesore that cost taxpayers plenty at a time we can ill -afford to spend the money. e Alanna Currie ASHLAND, OR This is our town and the plaza used to be so beautifull! I am a very creative person, and I could not have imagined it could look so ugly! e Dara Crockett MEDFORD, OR This is important to me because I come to Ashland (and bring friends to Ashland) for LIFE, color, art, beauty, renewal ... and now the Plaza is a hideous, grey blob with no soul (not just the pavers, but also the info booth and City Hall). It's so ugly. I had to apologize for it to friends who visited Ashland for the first time. Truly it is soul - crushing now, and I know that the goal was to rid the area of transients. There has to be a better way than this! e Ar an_Ho1 y ASHLAND, OR The rushed, over -budget, tree -killing so called restoration of our beautiful formerly Historic Plaza represents the worst public policy nightmare out of several major nightmares to hit our fair City over the last decade. The Mayor and City Administrator need to issue a statement and a timeline, explaining to all Ashlanders why many think it was a rushed awful public project with an ugly, grey, skatepark outcome. If everything the City did was on the up and up, then the City Administrator or Mayor should easily be able to explain the sequences of events, why it had to be done when It was done and so hastily, the initial budget that was suggested, and a complete and final fiscal Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 report as to the ENTIRE cost of this destruction of part of our City's history. • Savana Rose ASHLAND, OR Whoever designed this did a terrible disservice to the most important landmark in our city! Its bland, ugly and uninviting. Exactly what our town is NOT. This has to be redone! Where are the plants? Art piece? Red tiles or bricks? • Meredith Pagg ASHLAND, OR This is where I live and do business. This summer I have been aware of the very few people that sit in the plaza at any time of the day. It is to hot & has no aesthetic appeal. As I visit other cities & towns & view the importance they place on art & unique points of interest with their public spaces, I realize we are robbing the people of Ashland immensely. • Annemarie Sklaruk ASHLAND, OR The plaza is Ashland's "hot spot." Both locals and touristx alike meet or gather there to encourage the friendliness and warmth of our town. To see its trees gone, no warm inviting benches and a stark gray sidewalk is not inviting to newcomers and a blemish on this beautiful city. We need to fix it. • Chandra Holsten ASHLAND, OR I sent an e-mail to the City Council when this (now executed) plan was first proposed stating that I thought it was too cold and impersonal for a city the size of Ashland and did not blend with or compliment it's surrounding buildings and the ambiance of Lithia Park.I said it might be appropriate in a city like Portland, surrounded by very tall, modern buildings but that it was too cold and industrial looking for our city and that the benches looked like bunkers and not comfortable or inviting, especially when the weather was icy. Not knowing the pavers would be the same color as the street, I might have added that comment had they not been shown as a salmon color. Only Carol Voisin responded, saying that she very much agreed with me. Now we have this eyesore that does not reflect the spirit and hospitality of our community. Adding flowers has helped somewhat. Apparently Council members could not visualize the result or imagine the public outcry. This decision should have been at least reviewed by a committee of people who are designers or trained in the visual arts. A City Planner should have looked at the big picture and how this design fit its surroundings. More public access and input should have been given. Several plans should have been submitted by different landscape architects, with online input from our citizenry and special scrutiny by the aforementioned committee. We only have one plaza and rather than rush into the project it needed more time and consideration. Hopefully, future projects with aesthetic concerns will be subjected to the process suggested here. But that is in the past. Now we need to take these steps toward a rescue plan to soften the sterile effect and make the plaza once again the heart of our town. • Katherine Ereeman ASHLAND, OR I grew up in Ashland and recently moved back here. That was an historic plaza and important to the image of Ashland as a charming, cultured small town. The plaza did not need renovating and now looks like the cold, vacant plazas they put outside transit centers (Le,. Eugene, Oakland) It's an outrage really! • Diane McDermott ASHLAND, CA I own property in Ashland, and I always loved our plaza. • Rosalind Schrodt ASHLAND, OR Ashland is known for being a tree city. Trees make it possible to be outside in the summer. Why did you take them all away and put concret everywhere. I don't get it. • L. Oriana Spratt ASHLAND, OR The our industriaklooking plaza design is a travesty and must be changed. The Council signed off on the architect's rendering of a lushly landscaped and colorful plan - that is what they must demand be installed. Accident? Unlikely. Ashlanders deserve to know who exactly benefltted from this switcheroo. • Sonia Robson ASHLAND, OR Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Because they ruined the plaza. it's as appealing now as a gas station lot. • Jmyla dwASHLAND„ OR When the new plaza was introduced in a article by a local paper, it stated it wanted people to think of it as Ashland's "living room." How many of those people do you believe feel comfortable in their new living room? Better yet, how many have spent any time there at all? Hmm, I wonder why? • Melinda Cla€ce ASHLAND, OR Because the spirit of a town this class -act needs to stay that way. It just isn't a mediocre place, or valley, or population. • petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Dear Petitioners, we are gathering more and more support day by day. Thank you all for your heartfelt comments and support. Together, we will fix thisl • McL-il Burk SAN DIEGO, CA The most important and long lasting tribute you can provide Ashland and any other historic town is a beautiful historically preserved area where people can gather in shade and relaxation to enjoy their town see local events hear some music and gather as a community. Preserve and restore always over alter and detrac. • Patricia Miilen ASHLAND, OR The Plaza may have needed some improvement but what was created is a dreary, bleak space. It is not fitting for the specialness of our town especially given the high quality art community present. Please admit you made a mistake and take action to restore our Plaza to a place of beauty that creates a welcoming, uplifting and special ambiance. • JMyla starr ASHLAND„ OR Why have you made the Plaza so unattractive and uninviting? • Dorcas Her SEAITLE, WA I have lived in Ashland five times for a total of over 26 years and my immediate family still lives there. Ashland deserves to retain it's charm in every sense and to restore the Plaza is important in keeping it's charm for both the locals and the tourists. We ALL notice. The little things count. • Pauline Sullivan ASHLAND, OR Because Ashland is my hometown. This town is about beauty and grace - and the new plaza design reflects neither. We are a town FULL of artists - for cryin' out loud!!! This gray plaza is an eye sore and a heart sore!! • AAl jandra Metltot ASHLAND, OR 1/ I loved the old Ashland Plaza. The change feels cold and unwelcoming. 2/ As a retired government employee I truly believe that the public must be properly informed of such changes in a timely and effective manner. Respect works both ways. Thank you for your time and efforts and good luck to all of us. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Dear Petitioners, we all have a vote and a voice in the Plaza re -redesign process. We are all equal in this endeavor. We will call for a community forum on this issue soon. It's long overdue! Please stay tuned to this site for details. Thank you all for your comments and suggestions and for signing our (your) petitionlll • plane Horbacewlcz ASHLAND, OR Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 The Plaza is stark and grey and in my opinion, doesn't represent this community or what Ashland is all about at all! Especially with all the nature, beauty, talent and artists we have here! It would have been great to have the community come together and design the Plaza (which I feel is like the heart of Ashland) and bring together a true representation of this town. It probably would have costed less and been an exercise in what real community is all about! Right now, it reminds me of some places back east that are cold and grey and completely uninviting! Truly sad that this happened and for so much money! • wa KoogW TALENT, OR Even though I live in Talent, Ashland is my town too, as i lived there for 30 years before moving over here. I love Ashland, and partly, it is the beauty of the park and the entire area that makes so many of us proud of this town. To create something so aesthetically unappealing seems counter -intuitive, especially since we want the visitors coming here to enjoy the beauty too. Would it really be so difficult to change this? * may[ TALENT, OR I was born and raised in Ashland, and until about six years ago, had lived there my whole life. I was not impressed with the original plans for the plaza redesign, and am even more unimpressed by the final results. Its basically become an extension of the road that surrounds it. No green patches, or shady spots to rest anymore. Sure. A few trees were replanted, but it will be decades before they bring any shade or substantial canopy to the Plaza. The new seating arrangements are a positive element, and I particularly like the mosaic tilework on the concrete (barriers, benches?) seating. I also appreciate the wooden benches with backs that were added to the design. All in all, it is a dark, stark, and sterile plaza now. Although the perception may be that a "better element" of people are now frequenting the Plaza, I think that has more to do with laws being enforced, and less to do with the remodeled plaza itself. Please consider changing at least the pavers to make it lighter, and less like sitting on the side of the road. Thank you for your time and consideration in this manner. • ?asnica Pecar!c ASHLAND OR, AL I used to love and sit at the plaza, enjoy and talk to people, grab a tea or snack,enjoy the shade of the big trees ... it was the heart of the center of town ... now i avoid !t,.feels repellent.,.. • Sa!a Moon ASHLAND, OR Ashland thrives in its unique vibrancy and natural beauty. This is not an adequate reflection of the soul or green potential of our beloved ashland! • Ann McIntyre ASHLAND, OR The plaza is the heart of Ashland, and it did came out the worse for it, with the redesign. IF there is anyway to come to a better decision and outcome through dialog, and a recourse with the color of the pavers, then why not make it right? + Zahara Solomon ASHLAND, OR it looks terrible & does not reflect the Artistic & Cultural feel of our town. Nor is it welcoming to tourists & locals. This ugly thing is not the way to deter transients. • Lan! Amberg GRANTS PASS, OR I grew up in Ashland and the Plaza is a special place. It needs to keep it's original character. This is very important to those of us who love Ashland and lived there, went to school there and raised our families there. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Zelda! Thanks for your support! If you ever wish to run for public office up here, We know a good campaign manager! • jam!e th!ele TALENT, OR Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 I spend most of my time in Ashland. I love shopping there and I love the over all feel of the town. The new plaza belongs in gray rainy Seattle, not warm wonderful Ashland! e Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Beth - what has been destroyed can be restored. That is our duty as citizens of Ashland now. Take heart! Together, we will fix this! ' • Beth Falkenstein NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA After ten years, I have finally been able to purchase a home in Ashland, just in time to see the Plaza destroyed! a Janet Robbins--urls ASHLAND, OR I have lived in Ashland for 40 years and I dont feel that the new plaza design reflects the unique spirit of our city. I think the new plaza is also quite stark and unwelcoming; and the gray pavers just make the area hot and uncomfortable. • lene gg ASHLAND, OR I hate the gray pavers. They are exactly the same color as the street asphalt. • Vicki Foley ASHLAND, OR I felt the "redo" of the plaza unnecessary all along. We have lost the simple quaintness of the heart of our city. Let's do something to bring some character back to the plaza. If salmon pavers will help, then make it right. • Ida Green ASHLAND, OR I hope the city does a better job managing other projects? where are the checks and balances? • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Caroline, it was a sad day when the trees were unnecessarily removed! Ashland does not currently have a responsive city council that respects the views of its citizens. There is a 5-1 majority in the city council that rules like an oligarchy with an iron fist, disregards longstanding rules and procedures, and makes decisions for our entire town by pure flat! So many traditional rules were disregarded in the creation of the gray paver Plaza. See interview with Councilor Carol Voisin, above in our News section. Many thanks to you, Jim, Mary Caroline, John and all who have signed our petition! • Jim Bowne ASHLAND, OR It now feels old-fashioned and unfriendly. • Mary Kyman PHOENIX, AT You took a charming if slightly run down landmark and transformed it into an ugly grey stark area that looks like it belongs in the courtyard of some blah office building! • caroling alexander MEDFORD, OR I spent my first 18 years growing up in that town. My sister, Lisa Alexander, did all she could to prevent the tree removal plans, and could not. • John Sully ASHLAND, OR The Plaza is ugly,now. It was beautiful. It should have been left alone! Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 ® Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Margie, we agree salmon pavers would be more attractive, but they show a lot of dirt. But the brick colored pavers, similar to the color of the OSF, would look very attractive and not show the dirt as much. The Plaza is not people friendly, for sure. We will partner with the council and the citizens of Ashland to get it fixed! Go to the council meeting on the 20th, make your views heard! See above NEWS for details. • Mffgie Mc K ASHLAND, OR The plaza is now so unappealing and ugly...salmon pavers, like the architect's drawings would have been so much more attractive. The art on the concrete benches is very bland and not creative or unique. I can't believe that this happened in Ashland! How embarrassing! • pgnna Rose ASHLAND, OR New verson of plaza is boring, sterile, ugly, and hot (temperature) looking. Best verson was 25 yrs. ago. Next verson was not as attractive, but okay. This version makes made sad and angry. Who would want to go there? Hanging Baskets helped a little, but not enough. I plan not to spend any time at the plaza area or walk guests through it. s Petitioners for Restoration of Our_Plaza ASHLAND, OR Thanks Laurie, Steve, Elise, Chantal and Christine and all petitioners! We will all have an opportunity to bring these issues before the Ashland City Council on August 20. See above for details. e Laurie Easter ASHLAND, OR I lived in Ashland for the last eight years and care about the city, its ambiance, and decision making process. • steve Peppercorn ASHLAND, OR Ashland is the cultural Mecca of southern oregon. • elise thiel ASHLAND, OR because it's ugly and disgraceful that someone would be paid to design such an unattractive community gathering place, merely to continue to displace homeless people. e Chantal Chic h ASHLAND, OR As an Ashland resident, I want to see the beautiful plaza • Christine Kleiman ASHLAND, OR Grey bricks...??? Seriously...?? Worst'beautifcation' I've ever seen! • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Thanks for the suggestion Will. In the future we will be holding a public meeting for all to air their ideas and concerns. This has got to come from the Ashland public! • will sears TALENT, OR The pavers are really plain and unattractive. perhaps some colored ones could simply be inserted to make interesting and more colorful patterns. • Caraway Timmins ASHLAND, OR Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 I am a local resident and I feel the Plaza should be beautiful. Right now it is stark and depressing. • Mgr YOKOHAMA, JAPAN As a frequent visitor to the area, I am saddened to hear that the plaza was renovated in such an unprofessional manner, and with such callous disregard for the tastes of the actual people who will use, and more importantly PAY for it. One would hope that the council members would eschew personal preferences/gain, and listen for once... • Moneeka Settles ASHLAND, OR The black pavers are not lovely. • jQy hoseyASHLAND, OR I left suburbia and box store designs years ago for the small town of charm of Ashland - the new plaza fits into the category of refurb fast designs I'd hoped to leave behind. We can do better than this! • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Greg - This is a Council's Plaza, public input was limited and ignored for the most part. The entire design process was a sham! The Ashland City Council must be made more responsive to its electorate! But we, meaning all of the petitioners and people of Ashland, must take the initiative. The main force behind the current redesign, Greg Lemhouse, actually likes the new Plaza he helped to create! Hopefully the entire Council, seeing the public outcry, will partner with us to restore the Plaza to a welcoming and beautiful place for all. Thanks for your concern and support. And Many thanks to all who have signed our petition. Together we can fix this!!! • Cynthia Lope SANTA BARBARA, CA It the area of historical landmark framed by lovely old buildings and a beautiful park. the Plaza looks drab and unfinished by comparision. • Dgg Pecoraro ASHLAND, OR I am a contractor and have lived in ashland for over 20 years and this town has done more then a couple of things that i dident like. The plaza is appalling ... Were are all the artist in this town!! Fix itM • Chris Martin ALAMEDA, CA I am a frequent visitor to Ashland to see the plays and friends. I loved the old plaza. • Mark SMith-Poel TALENT, OR grey on grey may prove to be correct for photography... but not this! Put more color into the plaza! • Gerlinde Smith BOULDER, CO Currently the Plaza is an eye sore, grey on grey! • Cameron Meeks TALENT, OR the plaza redesign is a poor reflection of the beauty of Ashland. Gray pavers? Terrible decision. • rev Marsden ASHLAND, OR Because I am not a fan of what was done. And while your at it why not give us a public restroom near the library? That would be money well spent! Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 • Spridra Stamo FAIRFAX, CA We spend several months a year in Ashland and do not like th ugly way the plaza has been restored. • Joanna Wnorowski-Pecoraro ASHLAND, OR looks like a communist plaza in eastern europe during the 70's. where was imput from the community? it is embarassingly ugly for an artsy, theater town. for the amount of money spent it is a travesty • Dorre Ray ASHLAND, OR This plaza doesen't refect the essence or personality of this town • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Thanks JoAnn and Nancy, Our core assembly of petitioners, I hesitate to call it a "group," is gathering suggestions, soliciting Plaza design plans and working each day to create a new concept, a new vision for the rebirth of the Plaza. The Council must realize by now that there is a serious problem with the Plaza design. Their only way out of this mess is for them to work together, this time around, with all petitioners and concerned citizens to recreate the Plaza. We will need creative input from everyone concerned, but we must partner with the Ashland City Council in a reconstructive ways, and they with us, to create a better Plaza for us all. • Nancy Shuck ASHLAND, OR plaza should reflect the character of Ashland; instead, it is an embarrassment. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Mary - we are all working toward restoring the Plaza. We need the input of all citizens who wish to see the Plaza reborn to again be a welcoming and charming place for all to enjoy. We must do it ourselves and try to partner with the City Council in constructive ways. • Mary Moore ASHLAND, OR I have lived in Ashland for 32 years and was so sad to see our plaza look so stark and ugly. Please bring back some charm and character and history that is what Ashland is all about. • Jenn!fer Tashner WHITSETT, NC I visited Ashland as a tourist this summer and would love to see this improvement made • Raymond Brown ASHLAND, OR (see petition) • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Thanks for writing Maureen, we're doing all we can to fix this, and it's people like you and all the other petitioners who will help make it happen for our whole community! • mauraen Se—ve ASHLAND, OR As a 40 year resident of Ashland, and tax payer. I was surprised that such dramatic changes could be done to our plaza w/o a public vote. The "new " plaza is unfriendly and uninviting. • Ed Hougb= ASHLAND, OR As a substitute for the ugly grey pavers, the city could have just black topped the area. Would have been a tot cheaper and would have looked a great deal like the pavers. It seems rather ironic that the city (allegedly) signed off on "salmon colored" pavers and apparently taken no action about following up on with the contractor to replace them. I Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 guess things like this happen when the city seemingly has no limit on how or how much they spend for a project. I am sure that they can finance yet one more study to determine whether grey is better than salmon. As is, the plaza is U G L Yllllll • Jack Gibbs ASHLAND, OR You'll never please everyone, but I agree the current design is bland and really misses out on a big opportunity in the most central part of this great city. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Doug - good points. The gray pavers may reach as hot as 140 or more degrees according to online research. A cooler paver color would be most welcome. Even the brick pavers of the OSF are relatively mild to the touch on a hot day. Any physics majors out there care to calculate the total BTU's put out by the new Plaza on a hot day? • Thomas TarilaWA ASHLAND, OR The current state of the plaza lacks the artistic and creative esthetics to be the centerpiece of the Ashland downtown area. Incongruent with everything that surrounds it. • Mark Weir ASHLAND, OR I can not believe that the city administration turned our plaza into a parking lot. • pgMg Viner ASHLAND, OR Surely there must be a way to integrate more lush, indigenous greenery without incurring unreasonably high maintenance costs. To my eyes, the new design looks rather sterile. Also, the approximately asphalt -colored pavers sure are hot when the sun shines? This might be nice come winter but it's no fun on a hot day. • May Filice ASHLAND, OR This "upgrade" looks drab, and it's super hot --what the city accomplished was to discourage people from hanging out in the plaza (perhaps this was the real reason for the renovation). This was also accomplished by getting rid of the grassy areas and shade trees, areas that have been habitually occupied by young travelers. The look overall is severe and uninviting and was a total waste of money. I have lived here for 20 years and I was not aware there was so much public input about this before the proposed "renovation" as Lemhouse claimed. I never heard about it and found out only when destruction began. Lemhouse's response in the sneak preview was defensive and did not address the very well thought out perspectives of the speaker he was replying to (I can not recall who it was) but centered on the way the speaker expressed himself. I suspect that Lemhous's reponse was riddled with lies also. This charade is yet another sign that Ashland is very much aligned with the matrix which is born of control over the masses. • Donna Fischer ASHLAND, OR The current redesign is more than disappointing. It is devoid of any character or aesthetics and is an eyesore to our lovely town. • susan roudebush ASHLAND, OR Our plaza should be inviting, as the city's center/heart. I'ts not. • Sharon Tarnawa ASHLAND, OR This is where my family lives. The artistic city that we came to love is not reflected in the redesign that has happened without the community input. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 e Petitioners for Restoration of Our_Plaza ASHLAND, OR Many thanks to all our recent and earlier signers for your comments and continued support! • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Alexander - in response to your FB post: Community oversight was largely bypassed and ignored in the entire Plaza redesign process. Please have a look at our News posts on the petition and comments on our FB site for details. Thanks for your support! • Teresa Safay ASHLAND, OR The redesign is a depressing mess of gray. If the original drawings were salmon colored, then the people who put in the wrong bricks as well as those who knew the gray ones were wrong but didn't speak out during the process should be responsible for paying. Return beauty to the focal center of our town! • othy Nobles ASHLAND, OR How can a city with so many smart people be so clueless? It's hard to understand. • Alexander_Krach ASHLAND, OR This beautiful community space has been absolutely ruined by a poor design, and the sad part is that most people knew the project was terrible before it was even built. Let's rip it out and get a better designer. • Susan Burman ASHLAND, OR It's the heart of my beautiful home. It should represent how Ashland really is, gentle, beautiful, kind, artistic, creative • Carole Julys ASHLAND, OR It is important to me because I don't want to be aware of how dismal the plaza looks and feels every time I walk across it. • QQgg Burns ERIE, PA In a town as creative as Ashland, it is amazing that we ended up with this eyesore. The Council seems more interested in hiring out-of-town and expensive consultants than listening to its citizens. I remember the old days when "Do not Californicate Oregon" bumper stickers were everywhere. Seems we're losing the battle. • John Hanson ASHLAND, OR Ashlanders and visitors deserve better. • christopher matey ASHLAND, OR The plaza now looks like a barren uninviting piece of gray e Ian Kgpros ASHLAND, OR As a resident of Ashland, Oregon, I would definitely like to see some changes to the plaza. The residents of Ashland need to have their opinions heard before decisions are made! • Rosalind Sanchez-Jilek ASHLAND, OR The new Ashland Plaza looks like it belongs in a big metropolis. It lacks the historic and artistic character of both the surrounding Plaza buildings and Lithia Park. It is stark and virtually colorless -- very uninviting and uninspiring. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 • Igy Ffller ASHLAND, OR I moved to Ashland in large part because of its unique beauty and artistry. It seems that with the abundance of talent in this area, the fact that such a dull, lifeless design was chosen for the Plaza is unbelievable and unacceptable. As others have mentioned, I notice that few people spend time in the uninviting space. It does not flow cohesively with the Plaza architecture, not to mention the theaters and the PARK! Where's the color? Where's the life? • Leslie Levy ASHLAND, OR It is so ugly • Kathleen Kinzie -Rowland ASHLAND, OR I live here and am very unhappy about the appearance of the Plaza. It resembles a prison yard, not the center of a historic, artistic community. • Renato Siqueira Sao PAULO, BRAZIL It is something that makes people of this place happier. I am very proud they are putting some effort to change something. I wish my city could have these people as well. • Ross Pelton ASHLAND, OR beautify our city .... do it the way it was supposed to be done in the first place • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Peggy we share your concern. But it's not too late to restore the Plaza to a much better state. The Council's attitude is beyond "we know better." There are many unanswered questions that have come to light: Why didn't Greg Lemhouse, then Council liaison to the Arts Commission report back to the Council the gray paver choice? Why were only two short days of Public Access meetings held? Why was only one design plan, the Covey/Pardee plan seriously considered? Why did this firm's architect later tell the council at Plaza study session that the salmon color pavers was a program deficiency. That they could only use that color. - NOT TRUE. Look at the gray colors in the rendering itself (link below) Why was the process so rushed w/ no public review of the final design? Why was public input that arose from the Public Access meetings ignored and not implemented? The list of unanswered questions goes on and on... • +aggyDL1YAlj ASHLAND, OR I live here.... the plaza is ruined with the loss of the trees.... too late to be helped. The "we know better" attitude of this city council is again proved wrong. • Anne Coyl ASHLAND, OR I dislike incompetence and slovenly oversight when we are spending city money. I also object to the double standard, where the dity can remove old trees when it ishes, but the citizens, who pay for all this, cannot. • Paul Wes ASHLAND, OR Because the new Plaza looks like a Soviet -era bathroom with New Age mosaics. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Katy we agree. The entire plaza needs a redesign from top to bottom. The gray paver mixup is just an obvious focal point. There was mass confusion in the city council and staff over the color choice. The design process was kept so closed, even many city councilors and staff were kept out of the loop. The gray paver debacle serves to illustrate most strikingly the disfunctional, rushed, authoritarian design process that gave birth to the current plaza. Now we must Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 begin to take community action to restore our Plaza. • Key Cauker JACKSONVILLE, OR While I do not live in Ashland, I have lived in the Rogue Valley since 1976 and spend a considerable time in Ashland, for business and pleasure. I bring out of town guests there, and socialize with friends who are residents. The difference between the grey concrete and the salmon pink concrete is significant but hardly addresses the overall uninviting reality of the new design. The actual plaza has none of the beauty of the painting by the architect as the ratio of concrete to green vegetation is considerably different in reality. Ashland and the Northwest are know for it's lush inviting environment something that is now completely missing from the Ashland Plaza. The old plaza had charm, the new one is an uninviting eyesore. • Neil StewartASHLAND, OR I consider the Plaza vandalized. I suggest a fountain different trees, expanding the grounds and more • Nancy Bringer ASHLAND, OR Because it is the most uninviting plaza I have ever seen. It practically says, "Go away." • KEVIN_LEAGUE COLORADO SPRINGS, CO Because the plaza is the most important common area in the city, and Ashland is one of the most unique towns in the US, it deserves better. • petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Joanna, Marlene, Marilyn and everyone who has taken the time to care and post below, Many Thanks! Concerned citizens of Ashland are coming together to undue and transform our current Plaza into a vision that the Community at large can be proud of! This time, the people of Ashland will create it, not the oligarchy in the City Council! • Joanna Conrad MILL VALLEY, CA As a visitor, I would find another place to sit. As a gathering spot for residents and tourists, It is not warm and inviting. It looks just like the street. Whose idea was this? I thought that Ashland had a great sense of design, but this has no appeal. Alot of money wasted as it now needs to be redone. Oh well, we all make mistakes. • Marlene Walters KENSINGTON, CA Ashland is visited my large numbers of tourists every year. Civic beauty matters to residents and visitors alike. e Marilyn Stein LOMBARD, IL Ashland is too beautiful for such an ugly plaza, and the residents deserve better from their officials than this shoddy process! • Donna Thomas TALENT, OR Ashland is a destination for people from all around the world as well as a city filled with resident pride. The plaza should reflect a warmth and ambiance that draws people in. this design has no real appeal and as such does not reflect the true ambiance of Ashland or the pride that Ashland resident have in their town. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR One of the Ashland City Council members we spoke with said: "The pavers were supposed to be a salmon color." Another Councilor was not even told although they asked repeatedly what the paver color would be. This as late as Dec. 2012. If even members of the Council were confused about the Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 paver color, what does this say about the process? • KAthleen Burns -Britton ASHLAND, OR This design an abomination. The architectural renderings do not even show one person sitting down. This design is uninviting and ugly. • Allen Saybl ASHLAND, OR The Plaza is so ugly now. It is a disgrace. • mart strauch ASHLAND, OR Citizen review of public spaces is as old as our Republic. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR Thank you all for your constructive suggestions! Please tell your friends about our petition and website. They can find us on our Facebook site too, and just click the link shown in user posts. We'll be updating the FB site soon. • Sandra Holstein ASHLAND, OR Salmon pavers, some more greenery/flowers, and a modern sculpture would make a big difference. • kelly anderson TAMUNING, GUAM I think it will be hard to see curbs, depth perception with the elderly mobile folks • Kr!sta Hertford ASHLAND, OR in addition to poor design, the chosen color actually absorbs heat and makes the area less welcoming. Now that it is done though, raising the money to change is the focus to remove resistance. Do we have money behind this petition? I've seen some suggestions of dying the pavers which might be cheaper but I'm not sure that the dark value of these pavers would accept color very well so you may just have to focus on brightening other areas of the plaza such as the information booth and addition of flower pots, etc. • Michael Holstein ASHLAND, OR The Plaza should be a hallmark site. it isn't, a &Outton ASHLAND, OR The first thing I saw when I approached the Plaza at it was in its final touches of redesign was that the Plaza and the street seemed to be one continuous gray surface. I hoped that there would soon appear natural green "grass" growing between the pavers, but that apparently was a false hope. • Delma_Vois!n ASHLAND, OR I can't use my walker on the pavers and the heat from the pavers makes it too hot to sit on the benches. • Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza ASHLAND, OR This is Ashland, this is our home. Many citizens and business people who live and work here are coming together to petition the Council for a more gracious and welcoming Plaza. We can accomplish this by making our voices heard. It's a good use of our resources to make Ashland Plaza a welcoming place for townspeople and visitors alike. So many voices dislike the current Plaza redesign, that this issue can no longer be ignored. As it stands now, it's hot Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 enough to fry an egg on the Plaza! • Adam Reed ASHLAND, OR The new design sucks all of the life out of the plaza. Ashland is a small town, not a corporate plaza. And while you are at it, fix the mess on N Main. It needs to go back as well. Gotten stuck behind a stopped bus yet? What a stupid road design... • Noah Griesbach WASHINGTON, DC It is important to revitalize areas that mean so much to the people who Iive there. We need to insure that future residents can enjoy the history. • Cassandra Van Hout ASHLAND, OR Gray is not a flattering color on Ashland. It does not do justice to the beauty or culture of our community. • nick vanhout ASHLAND, OR because i want a nice plaza • ASHLAND, OR The current plaza is not reflecting the ambiance of the rest of downtown or the historical flavor of the area! • Lisa and David Sher r ASHLAND, OR Because Ashland deserves a beautiful Plaza, not a dark gray, misfit hothouse! • Gretchen Lee TALENT, OR We are a community of artists. How did this design happen? Who was in charge? A few contrasting cement colors could make some beautiful designs. I'm sure our guests are disappointed. I notice NO ONE is sitting there and enjoying our plaza How very sad. • Restore Our Plaza_! ASHLAND, OR The Ashland Plaza should embody the beauty, spirit and charm of our historic town. • Watha Dubonnet ASHLAND, OR Ashland is my home and I have carried about the aesthetics for the last forty years. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 "this is the worst thing that has happened to our city" • goly ostovar ASHLAND, OR Please restore our plaza with creativity and thoughtful planning. I have live in Ashland since the 70's. I love our city. this is the worst thing that has happened to our city so far. The current plaza redesign is totally unacceptable at every level. The Ashland Plaza is the heart of our city. It was recently covered with some grey pavers and concrete ledges. It has no warmth or sense of design. This is a historic and artistic town. It now lacks character. I don't even think to replace it with salmon colored pavers would improve things very much. There needs to be a committee of landscape architects, artists, and planners who can create a beautiful design for our charming city. It needs some plants and trees. It is not a skate park! it needs a sense of rhythm in the way that the pavers are laid down. Take a look the entrance to the SOU Library, Now that is a piece of art work worthy of being in the city center. We want the citizens and the visitors to hold a warm and charming image of our gathering place. I think our goal should be to restore the Plaza so that it reflects our historic significance as well as being beautiful. Right now it looks like thoughtless rows of grey asphalt just laid down in haste. It should be something that makes the residents, businesses , and visitors happy and proud. Please restore our plaza thoughtfully and creatively. • Kerry Greene ASHLAND, OR I care about the BEAUTY of our downtown. These grey pavers were a FLOP!! • Patty Marvin ASHLAND, OR Looks are important!! Bonnie Shaffer ASHLAND, OR This guy ruined the Plaza! • Dianne Schattler ASHLAND, OR we had such a beautiful natural Plaza, now it is gray and dark we need it made something enjoyable to look at again!!!!! Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Plaza Redesign Myth/Fact Sheet Myth: Plaza redesign is equally liked and disliked by Ashland residents. Fact: While this may have been true based on initial informal polls taken after the Plaza was first created, a recent Poll by the Sneak Preview has revealed that 65% of it's readers polled dislike the Plaza. On dislike/like, the new Plaza loses by about 2 to 1. Many Plaza comments can be found on Facebook pages: Preserve our Historic Plaza. Also goto: Change.org Search: Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza, (see links below). It contains the comments of hundreds of Petitioners, and follows the evolution of the Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza's efforts from July 2013 to the achieved goal of over 500 signatures online and signed on paper. Fact: Even if the Plaza were only disliked by an even number of those polled, those people are shoppers and customers. You can read online how many people have said they are sickened by and avoid the newly redesigned Plaza. This is bound to have an adverse affect on downtown business over the long run. Myth: Replacing the gray pavers will entail significant disruption to businesses and visitors. Fact: Several local paver contractors have assured the Petitioners that the replacement of the gray pavers for colored ones is purely cosmetic, and that since little or no infrastructure work is necessary, the entire paver replacement work can easily be completed in approximately ten days with no disruptions. Since there are 4442 sq. ft. of pavers, according to contractors, discrete sections of the Plaza can be cordoned -off in approximately 440sq.ft. sections per day. this can be accomplished with no disruption to business or hardship for pedestrians. Myth: Used Plaza gray pavers must be sold at substantial discount. Fact: The dark gray Plaza pavers can be reused on another more suitable city project. By so doing the city will apply the dedicated funds of purchasing bricks for the new project towards purchasing the colored bricks for the Plaza. The old gray bricks will go to the other planned project, and the value of the old pavers will be the same as the funds dedicated for the bricks in the new project. No value in materials will be lost. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Fact: Sue Springer, who picked the gray pavers with Greg Covey, has recently said: "In retrospect we should have let the council decide the paver color" - Source Daily Tidings Fact: Former councilor Russ Silbiger wrote Petitioner Cici Brown: "I'm as pissed as anyone about the gray pavers." - Source: email from Russ to Cici Brown Fact: Councilman Mike Morris commented, in the spring of 2013: "They (pavers) were supposed to have been salmon" - Source: conversation between Mike and David Sherr Fact: The dark gray pavers were measured at over 135 degrees Fahrenheit last summer. The dark pavers create a vast heat -sink which radiates heat all throughout the downtown Plaza area, and makes the downtown very uncomfortable and oppressive for our summer visitors, to say nothing of our local residents. By contrast, the bricks of the OSF are just mildly warm in the hot summer sun. Fact: Of all the downtown issues facing the Downtown Beautification Committee, Plaza re -beautification is the paramount issue on most peoples minds. It far surpasses in importance all other downtown issues. Please read all the enclosed comments about the Plaza redesign from hundreds of Ashland citizens from the pages of our petition page. Actually this vast volume of comments is only from 343 online signers. Our 180+ paper petitioner's written comments are not included, but many of those have also commented on Plaza preservation and restoration sites. See below for Links: htt.ps://www.facebook.com/PreserveAshlandsHistoricPlaza https://www.facebook.com/restore.ourplaza.7?fref=ts&ref=bf tf http://www.chanp-ee.org/petitions/ashland-city-council-restore-the-beautiful- ashland-plaza-6 Submitted by: David Sherr Petitioners for Restoration of Our Plaza Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Daily Tidings GUEST OPINION 11� 1111111111q 1111111 iiiiiii� By David Sheri. flo!,iIed- 2-00 /\ \,/l Ooohcr O'S J,.? The essential themes of Ashland are a throwback to a bygone era. And people live and visit here for those very reasons — to get away from the city and relax in an historically small-town ambience. As everyone knows, Ashland hosts the largest repertory Shakespeare theatre company in the U.S.A., with over 1,000 individuals participating, and is a landmark destination for that very reason. People who are drawn here desire and expect to find that historic ambience referenced in our- architecture and city sites. When they fail to find it, they are disappointed, as IoDgfirne resident Mr. T.T. Gaffey so eloquently related to me and councilor Pam Marsh last week during a discussion on the Plaza about the recent redesign. The many longtime tourists he has spoken with are greatly disappointed by the stark gray urban look of the new Plaza. This is a common theme voiced by many living and visiting here. Part of the problem with the recent contemporary/historic model for our city centre Plaza is that it's attempting to fashion downtown Ashland into the likeness of other- places that it is not, never can, nor should ever be. The large urban/yuppie plazas which have been exemplified as comparable to the model of our current Plaza by several councilors, whether- found in N.Y.C. or Europe, do not impart the unique thernes of our charming town, or reflect its history or - culture. The downtown Plaza looks more like it belongs in a strip mail than it does in Ashland. The feeling of our town centre should embody the elements of our town, not other places. And for our town center, we need a Plaza reflective of our special historic town, with all of its amazing qualities. It cries out for central focal point such as a fountain or a raised arbor area to convey a feeling of this unique place, and to identify and link the Plaza as the heart of our city's culture. The problem of the stark gray pavers is not going to go away or ever- be covered tip or colored over by any amount of moveable furniture, as suggested by some councilors. The dark gray morass is simply too pervasive and dominating. And attempting to "fill the space with color" is simply a superficial attempt to varnish over the essential boring blandness of the Plaza design. The Plaza needs a much deeper, more fundamental fix to address its core problems: New richly colored pavers in such colors as are found in the OSF, much more greenery, and a central focal point such as a traditional fountain or a raised arbor area to embody the old-world flavor of our town in a physical form. The fix will cost little compared to the original cost of the Plaza, and the benefits to Ashland will be enormous! David Sherr lives in Ashland. Submitted by David Sher 3 27 14 Online Interview with Councilor Carol Voisin: Prop: What power do subcommitees have to make decisions? Shouldn't the authority come form the main commission with oversight from the council liaison and council proper? Carol: A subcommittee of a commission has no power. It serves at the will of the commission and must report back to the commission for decision making by the whole commission. A city commission's power is limited to making recommendations to the council. The staff person is suppose to shepherd this process as well as the liaison councilor. They are the checks and balances. There are no others. The Art subcommittee decision is supposed to the full Public Arts Commission. With regard to the pavers' decision, it appears that there was no discussion on the part of the Public Arts Commission nor was their a vote on the color of the pavers. It remains unclear how the gray paver decision was made. The Public Arts Commission then is responsible for taking it to the council or at least the liaison, Greg Lemhouse, is responsible for reporting it to the council. None of this happened!