Mission Statement
The mission of the Urban Renewal Agency's Board is to eliminate blight and depreciating
property values in areas within the Agency's jurisdiction, and in the process, attract
aesthetically pleasing, job producing private investments that will improve and stabilize
values and protect the area's historic places and values.
During this last fiscal year, we have seen "Downtown Medford" featured in magazines reaching millions of people in the northwest. SkyWest Magazine touts Downtown Medford as a "major entertainment and educational area" in the throes of an "ambitious renaissance." Horizon Air Magazine praises Medford as "becoming a vibrant urban center" with an "increasing sophistication".
With the Southern Oregon climate offering occasional perfect weather, this spring Downtown's Pear Blossom Festival drew its largest crowd ever. Responding to Downtown's artistic draw (pun!) and historic charm, two other popular events have morphed into tradition by taking advantage of Downtown's pedestrian offerings. The now annual Taste of History and monthly Third Friday Art Walk, have expanded their venues to accommodate increasing community interest.
This year, several private investors in Downtown Medford have answered the mantra of many recent years, "We need more night life... We need more night life..." Don't let the street lights blind you or the foot traffic overtake you; instead, blend in by taking the family out for one of many new Downtown dinging experiences, or meet your friends for a more spirited adventure filled with fragrant Rogue Valley wines, dancing, and a little patio spray mist on your face on a warm summer's eve. From Central Avenue - down Main Street - on Front - to 4th, you'll find a variety of food, drinks and entertainment. The Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater showcases entertainment ranging from award winning Broadway hits to Rogue Valley's greatest local talent.
That is where we are today. Where we were is not so ingrained in peoples' minds anymore. People want to know where we'll be tomorrow. They've had a taste of Downtown's potential and they want more... now! To answer that call for "more", the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Budget includes funds to complete the RCC/SOU Bartlett Street and RVTD/Greyhound Relocation projects in the fall.
Also this fall, the Phoenix will seem to be rising as sidewalks and streetscapes appear around the elusive "Winetrout/Bella Vita" site. As Scarlett O'Hara said in Gone with the Wind, "Tomorrow's another day!"
Coming with "tomorrow" will be several signs announcing groundbreaking of the new Downtown park blocks, the start-up project for The Commons. One obvious sign: "Another Medford Urban Renewal Agency Project!"
Reflecting on our Mission Statement and incorporating recent publicized praises, perhaps our next sign should declare that "Tomorrow" is already "Today": "Welcome to Downtown Medford, 'a sophisticated and vibrant urban center'!"
Jackie L. Rogers
Executive Director