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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 2016)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016 with less staging,” Wood said. “Usually, when you see a musical in concert, it is pre- sented with actors in front of music stands. We’re kind of doing things this way, but we aren’t going to be satisfied just staying behind those music stands.” Last summer’s performance saw actors Tamara Cole, Matt Korso, Jesse Reeves, Erin Reinke, Hilary Roach, Elizabeth Rose, Jacob Ternyik and Wood running all over a stage at the Florence Events Center during “Pandemonium.” “We have a couple of little surprises tucked up our sleeves,” Wood said. Only Leah Goodwin will not be returning for her role; David will fill in for her char- acter. CAT will have a grand opening later in the spring, possibly with a variety show. “We really want CAT to be a multipurpose venue. Not only will we put on our own plays, but other people may want to rent space to put on their plays, musicals and stu- dent showcases,” Rosemary said. CAT will add variety to the other entertainment spaces available in Florence. “It makes sense if you don’t need a huge space,” David said. “We see this as filling a niche for a smaller venue.” The Laurias also hope to restart Florence Repertory from 1A “This was the cast coming to us and saying they wanted to do this. They wanted to be the first happening at the the- ater. The theater isn’t going to be finished when it happens,” said Rosemary. She and David are working with a contractor to finalize the rest of the building’s remodel. The Laurias convert- ed the former Christian Science Reading Room from a small church into a theater complete with a lobby, new bathrooms and ADA-accessi- ble ramps. “We want to honor the feel- ing of the cast and its feeling of giving,” David said. “Doing this show with this cast has been such an awesome experi- ence. To do it again for anoth- er week was too irresistible.” The Laurias, Burnett, Dave Hansen and Jason Wood teamed up to make this early show possible. The five were the production team for “Putnam” last June, along with “Chicago” in November. Wood said, “It’s the five of us. When we first got together for ‘Putnam,’ it just clicked. It sparked, it was like magic, things happened.” Because of the space — CAT has a small stage and seats 72 people — the cast of the musical will perform a concert version of the play. “It’s the same length, but Woody Woodbury 2066 Highway 101, Florence 541-997-0343 Independent Owner/Operator Florence Grocery Outlet 1SPEVDFt%BJSZ%FMJ )FBMUI#FBVUZ 'SP[FO'PPETt'SFTI.FBU )PVTFXBSFTt#FFS8JOF 0SHBOJD/BUVSBM'PPETBOENVDINPSF We have ample RV parking! Theater Company, and plan to do business as Florence Actors Theater, meaning that any of their shows put on in the space could come to be known as FAT CAT. “We’re going to fulfill the name ‘class act’ and really do powerful performances,” David said. Several members of the pro- duction team mentioned the word “edgy” in terms of future shows, along with more dra- matic productions, a night of one-act plays, showcases for student playwrights and shows that might not have been offered on the coast before. “Mostly it is a new and fab- ulous place to put a new and fabulous theater, some of which hasn’t been done in this town before. It will be differ- ent,” Wood said. “They’re not copy-catting anyone. It’s really smart that they’re giving the Florence audiences some cred- it. ... I think if a show is enjoy- able, it’s enjoyable. If it’s good, it’s good. Those are the shows we want.” “Everything produced there will be high production value, high quality, well rehearsed and well presented,” David said. CAT has capabilities for tech support, lighting, sound, projection and streaming via Wi-Fi. Small groups might not need microphones with the building’s acoustics. Burnett said, “It would be a great place for experimental theater and for people up and down the coast who want to debut their plays.” Wood hopes that people will be able to hold classes, work- shops and recitals in the space as well. The production team hopes to announce the first shows of a new season at the perform- ance of “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” “We have stuff in the works already. We’re not wasting any time,” Wood said. “It’s a little overwhelming to think about,” Rosemary said. “I’m still trying to get the front door painted.” C g l e n i an r p S Your Jewelry Box Event Date: March 8-11 10:30-5:30 Vision from 1A The Highway 101 Streetscape project was pre- sented by David Dougherty, a landscape architect and urban designer and a subconsultant for Murray, Smith and Associates Civil Engineering (MSA). “Our scope of work is the public realm along the high- way, the right of way on Highway 101,” Dougherty said. He and other designers are working with FURA and Oregon Department of Transportation to improve aspects of the highway as it is repaved in the coming years. According to Dougherty, MSA created designs to improve safety, beautify streets, provide better pedes- trian access, delineate travel and bicycle lanes and add in trees, native wildlife and even bio-swales to treat grey water along the highway. MSA targeted properties around Maple, Nopal and Quince streets as prime targets because they are “gateways” into Old Town. “We hope to beautify and activate the streets and com- plement the Leland Group with private development and supporting life along the street,” Dougherty said. He presented initial design plans of the gateway locations featuring open space, benches and “urban expression” ele- ments that could factor in fea- tures of the Siuslaw River Bridge or Old Town architec- ture. Some of the designs show archways at the entrance to Maple Street on Highway 101 or Quince Street on Highway 126. They also could include “fluid ebb and flow” designs for pavement and landscape in pedestrian areas. Engineers propose open spaces around these streets by reclaiming public property from adjacent private proper- ties and straightening intersec- tions to 90 degrees. “By aligning the streets into a more 90 degree connection to the highway, it gives us bonus space for outdoor activ- ity, plazas and art. We think this is an exciting opportuni- ty,” Dougherty said. MSA referenced the Urban Renewal Agency and the city’s recent work in assessing the highway, along with past efforts to revitalize the zone. Chris Zahas, president of Leland Consulting Group, spoke about FURA’s econom- ic strategy in the Urban Renewal District, 341 acres including Old Town and the Highway 101 corridor from the Siuslaw River Bridge to Highway 126. FURA retained Leland Consulting Group in 2015 to develop an economic opportu- nities strategy and to identify key development sites. “We work in communities of all sizes and we usually see half the turnout in cities twice as big,” Zahas said. “It’s a tes- tament to your commitment to your city and what you see as the potential for Florence.” In Leland Consulting Group’s first phase of plan- ning with the Urban Renewal Agency, consultants assessed the city in stakeholder meet- ings and a community-wide survey. Zahas presented those findings in a market analysis to the agency at the end of November. “We looked at Florence’s assets and strengths we can play off toward the goal of economic opportunity and development in the Urban Renewal District and the Old Town area. Tonight, we are translating those ideas into opportunities,” Zahas said. The ideas involved design plans and ways to “create neighborhood in community” at strategic zones in the dis- trict by looking at retail, resi- dences and civic spaces. The focus area was Old Town, Florence’s downtown area that is essentially the heart of the community. “Old Town is the place peo- ple come to, where you take your family from out of town and where business leaders look first,” Zahas said. “Because it is your front door, a downtown really is an essential economic develop- ment tool for the entire com- munity.” The four targeted areas include the Lotus Restaurant and parking lot, the Port of Siuslaw Boardwalk and park- ing lot, public and private properties along Maple and Nopal streets and the vacant site across from the Florence Events Center on Quince Street. The consulting group wants to focus on housing, employ- ment and other revitalization goals by looking at business- es, culture, Siuslaw Public Library, Florence City Hall, parks, public art and open spaces. Zahas said the consultants are looking at priorities for the city, ways to engage with the private development commu- nity and marketing and regu- latory tools to work in part- nership. “You have a compelling story to be told. We’re looking at additional ways to tell it,” he said. Representatives from Myhre Group Architects, MSA and Leland Consulting Group were able to show design ideas of multi-use spaces, open air districts and Old Town aesthetics before and after the presentations. “This community is so sup- portive of the future vision that is being presented here. Its really nice to see such an active, well-informed commu- nity,” Dougherty said. “The feedback we’ve been receiv- ing has been excellent with things we may not have thought about. You live here, you are citizens and this is your realm.” Both MSA and Leland Consulting Group met with FURA on Feb. 24 to discuss outcomes and explore next steps. Zahas said, “In the next month or two, we will be developing implementation strategies to how to make this happen. Pictures and ideas are great, but we want to attract that investment to make these ideas a reality.” __________ CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Theater 11 A Follow Chantelle on Twitter @SNews_Chantelle. Email her at cmeyer@thesiuslawnews.com. Event to benefi t FAVRA Siuslaw News (Florence Area Veterans Relief Agency) Bring in your old rings, broken chains, coins, anything gold or silver - 100% goes to FAVRA, a non-profi t for local vets whose needs are not met elsewhere. Coast Jewelers Let Paul show you a new car or truck. Stop by today! 1220 Bay Street, #100 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7676 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 www.shoppelocal.biz