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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 30, 2015)
CLEAR THE CLUTTER BRINGING THE X FACTOR GET ORGANIZED BASKETBALL Page 7A Page 12A Volume 140, Issue 52 www.Polkio.com December 30, 2015 75¢ IN YOUR TOWN DALLAS Year-end donations at Goodwill expected to be strong. WHAT WILL SPROUT UP AT INDEPENDENCE RIVERFRONT? »Page 7A FALLS CITY City considers how to help legislation that would pay for a full- time law oicer. »Page 6A MONMOUTH EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer N icholas I ndra is turning his 3-D printer into a full-time busi- ness. The 20-acre lot on the Willamette River, owned by the city of Independence, is ready for development by Tokola Properties. Old Valley Concrete site will become a Tokola Properties development By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — Tokola Properties, of Gre- sham, have been selected to develop the land formerly occupied by Valley Concrete, said Shawn Irvine, econom- ic development director for Independence. “They’ve worked on sev- eral successful public-pri- vate partnerships in the last several years,” he said. “Tokola is primarily a devel- oper of higher-density, resi- dential and mixed-use units, but sees the opportunity for lodging on this site, and will be partnering with a hotel developer for the project.” Now that the developer has been chosen, work can EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer file The city of Independence invested roughly $400,000 into the $800,000 property to grade it, survey it, and do other things required for development. begin on the details of how the land will be developed and for how much. “It is very premature at this point, with so many de- cisions to be made by both teams, to forecast an accu- rate construction start date,” Irvine said. “Doing it right is far more important than doing it quickly.” The company was select- ed from three who submit- ted requests for qualifica- tions, a method the city used to attract a developer who would align with the city’s vision for the 20-acre plot of land. The city bought the land from Valley Concrete for $800,000 in October 2014, and invested roughly $400,000 in grading, surveys and otherwise preparing the land to be “shovel-ready.” The reason for that was to make sure it was developed to its maximum potential, Irvine said. “We will be working to- gether with Tokola in the »Page 3A first phase of this project to fine tune the plan for this project by the creation of a master plan and the appro- priate land use and zoning,” Irvine said. “Identification of an acceptable hotel partner will also be essential to early success as well.” Getting those things de- fined, as well as financing, will be broadly identified in an exclusive negotiating agreement over the next couple of months, Irvine said. “From there, we’ll negoti- ate a development and dis- position agreement, which will have all the nuts and bolts about how the proper- ty will be developed, when, who pays for what, etc.,” he said. SPORTS Sports editor Lukas Eggen spells out his athletic goals for 2016, which include tennis, golf, basketball and a triathlon. »Page 12A EDUCATION Attendance reports are in for school dis- tricts around the coun- ty, but what do they re- ally say about how well Polk County students attend? »Page 14A FAREWELL, 2015; HELLO 2016 The Itemizer-Observer takes a look at the top stories of each month, and a few notables. Happy New Year! Itemizer-Observer staf report POLK COUNTY — It has been a busy year with some things getting completed and others just getting started. Take a look back through the Itemizer-Observer’s top stories of 2015. January Jan. 7: “Delirious Ducks; Football’s championship game run gives locals ‘Ducks Fever’” — Longtime Oregon Duck’s fan and Polk County Commissioner was thrilled to travel to Arlington, Texas, to watch the football team compete in the inaugural College Football Playoff Na- tional Championship Game. The Ducks lost the game to Ohio State. January notables: Jan. 14: “Rookie represen- tative” — Polk County elect- ed two new representatives to the state Legislature: Paul Evans and Mike Nearman. Jan. 28: “Death raises questions” — a young man dies when medics cannot safely reach him because of an undermanned sheriff’s THE NEXT 7 DAYS PLANNING FOR YOUR WEEK department. February Feb. 4: “10 important questions regarding the county public safety levy” — When Polk County Commis- sioners agreed to put a pub- lic safety levy on the ballot in May, reporter Jolene Guz- man went to work answer- ing questions about what it would mean, how much it would cost, and why the sheriff’s department and district attorney’s office needed the help. It was up to the public to decide, but this story kicked off a series of stories Guzman wrote, div- ing into the topics. The levy passed in May. February notables: Feb. 18: “No place to call home; Issues of homeless- ness a hidden problem in Polk County” — Homeless- ness can affect anyone, and not much help is available in Polk County. March March 4: “Who will be Dallas’ new schools leader?” — Three finalists for EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer file In January, Rep. Paul Evans was one of two rookie representatives from Polk County to be elected to the Oregon Leg- islature’s House of Representatives. Dallas School District’s new superintendent are intro- duced to the community. All three prove to have the ex- wed thu fri Feeling tense? Head over to Rogue Farms for some free yoga in the hopyards, the last Wednesday of each month. 6 p.m. Free. As you make plans to ring in the New Year, remember to include a desig- nated driver: Be one or ind one, and have a safe one. Happy New Year! To celebrate the arrival of 2016, our oice is closed today. May your year be a blessed and happy one. Sunny Hi: 40 Lo: 26 Sunny Hi: 39 Lo: 25 Sunny Hi: 39 Lo: 26 perience, but Michelle John- stone shines through and is offered the job a week later. March notables: sat Monmouth Senior Center will host its monthly all-you- can-eat breakfast fundraiser this morning. 8:30-10:30 a.m. $3-6. Sunny Hi: 40 Lo: 26 March 18: “Center will in- crease health access; Full dental, medical, infant-tod- dler care to be available” — sun Is learning to sing on your list of reso- lutions? From the Heart Community Sing is open to all ages. 1:30-3 p.m. Free. Sunny Hi: 39 Lo: 26 Construction begins on the Central Health and Wellness Center. See REVIEW, Page 5A mon tue Dust of that instru- ment and join oth- ers in the New Horizons Orchestra for those adults looking for music. 6:30 p.m. $25/month . Got a new e-reader? The Independence Public Library will host a workshop to help you get to know your device. 6-8 p.m. Free. Mostly cloudy Hi: 38 Lo: 29 Partly cloudy Hi: 41 Lo: 29