Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2017)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2017 Odd Fellows Building could become bar, event center Sale of building could impact existing tenants By KATIE FRANKOWICZ The Daily Astorian a chain of bars and sandwich shops in Portland, wrote back. Though plans are not firm, she told West, the buyers plan to use the ballroom space as a venue. She thanked West for understanding. ‘Romantic’ Potential buyers of the his- toric Odd Fellows Building in downtown Astoria could turn it into a bar and event center, according to emails exchanged between a tenant and the buy- ers and social media posts. A sale is pending on the 93-year-old building, and the potential buyers are expected to close in the next month or two. Current tenants include the antique store Old Things and Objects, Sea Gypsy Gifts and Downtown Coffee Shop on the bottom floor and the nonprofit Astoria Arts and Movement Center, which uses the floor above for a variety of dance classes, community classes and public events. Jessamyn West, executive director for the arts center, sent an email to the potential buy- ers. She introduced herself and asked them if they could meet in person to discuss the pos- sibility of the arts center con- tinuing to use the ballroom as a studio. Tacee Webb, who described herself as the partner of Tommy Habetz, the co-owner of Bunk, the company behind On April 18, a domestic lim- ited liability company named Oddfellows Astoria LLC was registered with the state. The articles of organization list a Thomas Edward Habetz as the organizer and registered agent, as well as a Portland mailing address. On April 26, Webb had posted a picture of the Odd Fel- lows Building and the location “Astoria, Ore.,” on her per- sonal Facebook page. “Isn’t it romantic?” she wrote. She added, “I’d love to form a collective of old Port- land places, try to invite or reinvent them here … calling all artists and dreamers! Sure, it will be a fleeting moment …” In the comments below the post one person asked, “What’s your plan?” Webb replied with a description of the building — the number of levels, its square footage — and wrote, “I plan to open a venue in the ballroom with a bar. You’ll looooove it. Eventually I will have a shop on the main level also, apparel.” In an Instagram post from March featuring a picture of LoopNet A sale is pending for the Odd Fellows Building. the ballroom she wrote, “Come back to me. The future looks like 1923. October masquer- ades in this very unloved ball- room. Vintage coast fantasies …” Bunk representatives and Habetz did not reply to a request for comment by press time. Astoria real estate agent Peter Tadei of Myriad Com- mercial Properties Ltd, who is working for the building’s cur- rent owners Luottamus Part- ners LLC, confirmed a sale was pending. He could not com- ment any further on the mat- ter at this time. He said he first listed the building last summer. It is listed at $575,000 on the Myriad website. “The property is well-po- sitioned to capitalize on the town’s ongoing resurgence, embarrassment of treasures, and ever-growing tourism,” states a description of the property on the Myriad web- site. “The highly visible cor- ner makes a very desirable location.” Frustrating For West and others con- cerned about the future of the building, the situation is frustrating. “They’re wanting to offer a bar and event center across the street from another bar and event center that’s also for sale,” West said, refer- ring to the Astoria Event Cen- ter, located down the road and listed for sale on Myriad’s website at $650,000. West worries, too, about what the buyer’s plans would do to the historic nature of the building. “It’s been a ballroom since the 1920s,” she said. “Before we moved in, the Astoria School of Ballet was there.” She says she knows locals who are interested in buying the building, keeping it avail- able to the current tenants and preserving its historical integrity. Astoria’s Community Development Department has not seen any permits yet related to the building or Odd- fellows Astoria LLC, but said any change of use would likely come before the Planning Commission. Odd Fellows Hall is zoned as Commercial, the type of zoning that covers downtown Astoria, and certain uses are permitted outright: eating and drinking establishments, com- munications business, studios for artists, among others. A switch from using the space for retail and a dance studio to using it as a bar and event center would likely trig- ger review by city building officials and community devel- opment, according to City Planner Nancy Ferber. “But it just depends on what they’re proposing,” she said. Community Development Director Kevin Cronin con- firmed that the department has not seen any permits related to the building. He said he had heard “through the grapevine” that there was a change in own- ership at the building. Landmark Odd Fellows Hall is listed as a local landmark included in Astoria’s downtown area which has been designated a historic district, according to John Goodenberger, and instructor for Clatsop Com- munity College’s historic preservation program and an architectural historian and preservationist. Under this designation, some restrictions apply: If a developer wants to change the exterior of the building, for example, or use different materials, add on to the build- ing itself or take out or enlarge windows. Dulcye Taylor, president of the Astoria Downtown His- toric District Association, which advocates for the down- town area, said she also heard about the potential buyers for the building. She says she has questions about the “ramifi- cations and repercussions of modifying that building” given its historic nature. From her own personal per- spective, she said she is “very saddened” to think the arts center might have to vacate the building. “The Arts and Movement Center is a viable, wonder- ful part of our community that does a lot of great things for a lot of age groups and eco- nomic levels,” she said. Affordable houses at RV Park proposed in Cannon Beach budget By BRENNA VISSER The Daily Astorian CANNON BEACH — Can- non Beach is proposing to build four new affordable housing units in the RV Park by fall as a priority project in the next fis- cal year. “Affording housing is the No. 1 issue we’re all talking about. It’s important every- where, but especially on the coast,” City Manager Brant Kucera said. The RV Resort on Elk Land Road and Haskell Lane was identified as poten- tial site in a report compiled by the affordable housing task force last year, cit- ing the fact the city owned the land, as well as relatively low startup costs as benefits. Each house would be around 400 square feet and mobile, Kucera said. With rent antici- pated to be $600 to $800 a month, the homes would be intended for single and working-class people with incomes of about $15 an hour. The project would be funded by a newly proposed afford- able housing fund totaling $429,740, which if adopted, would take effect in July. The homes would be paid for using a bank loan, rents and construc- tion excise taxes if the City Council chooses to approve it, Kucera said. If the pilot program is suc- cessful, the city could expand this program out to include up to 12 homes on this property, which in line with the city’s goal to build 25 affordable homes by July 2018, Kucera said. as the top priority for the city. But the proposed excise tax — which would contribute an estimated $92,000 of the total fund — has received a luke- warm welcome from some city councilors. The proposed excise tax is a one-time 1 percent imposed based on the construction value listed on the building permit. Portland and Salem have imple- mented these taxes and one is being considered in Astoria. W A NTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Excise tax A citizen survey last year identified affordable housing N orth w es t H a rdw oods • Lon gview , W A Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500 Losing Your HEARING? or are your ears just plugged with Earwax? FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF! You are invited for a FREE ear inspection using the latest video technology! Call for an appointment now to avoid waiting! It’s All FREE! FREE Video Otoscope Ear Inspection* This show-all Picture of your ear canal is displayed on a color monitor, so you’ll see exactly what we see to determine if you could be helped by a hearing aid. FREE Complete Electronic Hearing Test* This Audiometric evaluation will precisely show you what you’ve been missing and if you can be helped by a hearing aid. FREE Package of Hearing Aid Batteries If you now wear a hearing aid, you will receive one FREE package of Hearing Aid Batteries. If we test your hearing to see if you could be helped by a hearing aid you will receive another FREE Package. FREE In-Offi ce Repairs All in-offi ce hearing aid repairs shall be FREE…and factory repairs, regardless of make or model shall be 50% OFF the total cost of the repair. ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO SAVE! Save on our advanced line of digital hearing aids. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price All ME-1, ME-2 and ME-3 Solutions Hearing Aids Good only from participating Miracle-Ear® Hearing Aid Centers. One coupon per purchase. No other off ers or discounts apply. Discount does not apply to prior sales. Off er valid on ME-1, ME-2, ME-3 hearing aids. Cannot combine with any other off ers. Cash value 1/20th cent. Off er expires 5/22/2017. • Individualized • Sizes to meet your lifestyle • Uses the ear’s natural ability to locate sounds • Comfortable to wear • Most models compatible with wireless Blue tooth® Technology ITE ITC CIC LIMITED TIME OFFER! RECEIVER؏IN؏THE؏CANAL ADVANTAGES OPEN FIT TECHNOLOGY GENIUS™ AVAILABLE • Versatile • Utilizes the most ad- vanced technology • Uses the ear’s natural ability to locate sounds miniRIC • Rechargeable options RIC • Most models compatible with wireless Blue tooth® Technology XT RIC $ BUY 1 GET 1 50 % OFF IN؏THE؏CANAL ADVANTAGES 995 00 MSRP $ 3090 SAVE $ 2095 Off er valid on Model ME2275 100% Digital & 100% Programmable Valid at participating Miracle-Ear® Hearing Aid Centers. Limit one hearing aid per customer at the promotional price. May not be combined with other off er and does not apply to prior sales. Cash value 1/20th cent. Off er expires 5/22/2017. Some FEDERAL WORKERS and RETIREES may be eligible for Hearing Aids at NO COST That’s Right... No Co-Pay! No Exam Fee! No Adjustment Fee! Most Insurance Plans are accepted including BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD**! AT THESE PARTICIPATING MIRACLE-EAR HEARING AID CENTERS ONLY! CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT! Now through May 22 nd , 2017 Miracle-Ear Center Youngs Bay Plaza 173 S. Hwy 101, Warrenton, OR 97146 (503) 836-7921 • www.miracle-ear-warrenton.com Miracle- Ear Center 2505 Main Ave N, Suite C, Tillamook, OR 97141 (503) 836-7926 • www.miracle-ear-tillamook.com *Hearing test is always free. Hearing aids do not restore natural hearing. Individual experiences vary depending on severity of hearing loss, accuracy of evolution and ability to adapt to amplifi cation. Hearing test is an audiometric test to determine amplifi cation needs only. Th ese are not medical exams or diagnoses. If you suspect a problem please seek treat- ment from your physician. **Blue Cross Blue Shield, Th e Blue Cross, Th e Blue Shield, BCBS and Federal Employee Program are registered trademarks of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and its independent licensees are not affi liated with nor do they endorse or sponsor the contents of this advertisement. Trademarks referring to specifi c providers are used by Miracle-Ear for nominative purposes only: to truthfully identify the source of the services about which information is provided. Such trademarks are solely the property of their respective owners. Th e aids must be returned within 30 days of delivery if not completely satisfi ed and 100% of the purchase will be refunded.
