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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018 ReVision and ideas used in other communi- ties to help businesses succeed through construction.” As for the construction, there are some with restrictions on work on the highway, Messmer said. Construction will take place during both day and at night, with lane closures at night since the city may not restrict traffic on Highway 101 during peak hours. In addition, crews will maintain safe pedestrian and vehicle access during the entire project. “Travel on Highway 101 should stay pretty consistent,” Messmer said. However, some local and side street closures will happen throughout as crews work on sidewalks and bump outs. Next, Murraysmith Senior Engineer Chris Link spoke about the consultation process for ReVision, beginning in September 2015. “The goal was to prepare design concepts and a masterplan for this corridor in a way that accomplishes the city’s vision of reinvesting in it, improving pedestrian and bike safety, and making it more inviting for use,” from 1A “We’ll get going underway shortly, and you’ll actually see the work being done on the highway,” Messmer said. “Communication will be key through this.” The city plans to use its social media, website and newsletter, as well as local media, to communi- cate with the public. In addition, city staff created a Construction Survival Guide booklet for busi- nesses and the community. It will be available at Florence Public Works, the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, Florence Events Center, Florence Justice Center, Florence Senior Center and other places around town. “We understand that a project of this magnitude will impact community members and busi- nesses during construction. We’re hoping to be the least intrusive that we can,” Messmer said. “We put together this survival guide to help businesses owners and com- munity members understand the project, know what to expect and to help provide some suggestions We’ve got you COVERED Link said. “The current design stays true to a lot of the early con- cepts. If you were at the open house 2 years ago where we rolled out those concepts, a lot of those ideas remained in the final design.” In addition, David Dougherty, firm principal and lead designer of Dougherty Landscape Architects, spoke further about ReVision’s design features. “If you look at the current condition of the ReVision area, it is pretty much all grey,” Dougherty said. “The bleak nature of the corridor does noth- ing to complement the healthy businesses and activities beyond the corridor. Our job is to create safety first with safe pedestrian places and safe places to ride bikes, as well as to accommo- date a nice experience, both visually and experientially as you move through. We’re hoping to activate the highway corridor so that more people use it.” The consulting firms will make Highway 101 a more invit- ing place, as well as create new “gateways” into both Florence and Historic Old Town. One gateway will be on Highway 126 at Quince Street and the main one at Maple Street on Highway 101. “They will provide a landmark to enter Florence from,” Dougherty said. He said the gateways are inspired by the art deco design of the Siuslaw River Bridge, com- pleted in 1936. They will be 25- foot columns made of pre-cast concrete and aluminum and fea- ture lighting. In addition to the gateways, there are 15 plinths included in the design for the city to feature public art. “There will be more of a per- sonal opportunity for local artists to express what this place is and what’s unique about Florence,” Dougherty said. “We tried to cap- ture that in the design as much as possible.” The Florence Public Art Committee will run the selection process of permanent and rotat- ing art pieces. According to Link, “The majority of the work on Highway 101 is going to occur outside the travel lane — the bike lanes, parking areas, curbs and side- walks. Throughout the stretch of 101, there will be new 8-foot sidewalks, ADA compliant ramps at every crossing, landscaping and pedestrian amenities. One other thing I think is pretty neat is we are going to take the aerial utilities and run them under- ground. That eliminates a lot of visual clutter.” By “improving the full width of the highway,” as Link said, more people will slow down and notice both Florence and its Urban Renewal District. For Dougherty, his firm’s responsibility was to “create a pedestrian environment” that specifically addressed pedestrian and bicycle safety. ReVision will visually narrow the 100-foot wide Highway 101 by delineating parking, increas- ing landscape and adding pedes- trian crossings. With this design, some side streets, such as Nopal and Maple, will be corrected to be more perpendicular to the highway. Pedestrian amenities will include updated lighting — to illuminate pedestrians on one side and highway traffic on the other — banners, flower baskets, benches, landscaping, bike racks, trash receptacles and more. Some areas, including pedes- trian crossings and plazas, will use patterned, colorful concrete to bring out the city’s unique character of wind, waves and sand. “These will reflect the pattern of the ebb and flow of water,” Dougherty said. “The idea is that there is sand and water at work here, which happens throughout the Siuslaw estuary and with the Pacific Ocean.” He said the plazas will draw people in and encourage them to rest on a bench while creating interest. The landscaping “adds green to what is now a grey area,” 7 A Dougherty said. Taller trees along the high- way will be a mix of deciduous, high-canopy trees including red maple, gingkos and red alder. In larger landscaped areas, the design calls for conifer trees, native shore pines, Douglas firs, cedars, vine maples and rhodo- dendrons. In addition, some areas will feature cultivated sand dunes and beach grass. The open house had two pre- sentations and allowed people to interact with representatives from the city, ODOT and the consultants. People were able to ask questions about aspects of the design and timeline. “We will have a line of com- munication open and will work with the community on this,” Messmer said. She gave her name as the con- tact person for the city and FURA. She can be reached at 541-902-2182 and megan. messmer@ci.florence.or.us. For questions for ODOT, people can contact ODOT Public Information Officer Angela Beers Seydel at 541-746-2442 and angela. beers-seydel@odot.state.or.us. In addition, the City of Florence has a comprehensive project page for ReVision at ci.florence.or.us. “It’s an exciting milestone to be at the final design,” Link said. 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COM April 28 Thursdays through May 24 New Testament Class on St. Matthew Taught by Joel Marks, adjunct profes- sor of American History 6:30 to 8 p.m. Open to public; refreshments served Church of Jesus Christ of Latter — day Saints May 4 FlorenceFest ‘18 Noon to 8 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center Lane Community College Closed for Staff In — Service Day No classes will be held and no servic- es will be available, unless otherwise announced LCC Florence Center lanecc.edu/calendars/academic — cal- endar Patriot Place presents Sam Carpenter Republican candidate for governor 1 to 3 p.m. Patriot Place, 175 Nopal St. www.PatriotPlaceFlorence.com Parking Lot Sale 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to public Florence Habitat for Humanity ReStore Wednesdays Points of Grace Community Acupuncture Experience relief from pain and stress 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations encouraged Wellspring Clinic 1845 Highway 126 Dowsing Workshop with John Stead Time TBA Open to public Siuslaw Public Library Alva Bracey First Friday Fish Fry 5 to 7 p.m. Dinner costs St. Mary Our Lady of the Dunes 85060 Highway 101 May 5 Mapleton Pride Clean Up Challenge 9 a.m. to noon Open to public; taco lunch provided for volunteers Mapleton Food Share “The Reunion” Beatles Fantasy Tribute 7 p.m. — show Tickets required Florence Events Center Plant and Rummage Sale Women of the United Methodist Church 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to public Florence United Methodist Church Jazz Kings — “You Asked For It” 2 p.m. Tickets required Florence Events Center Expect excellent service when you buy or list with me. Cell: 541-505-1180 Alva@CBCoast.com Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques & Coast Jewelers 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR COAST REAL ESTATE CUSTOM ENGRAVING & CUTTING Mary Morganti Teacher-Pianist Accompanist jmirvis@charter.net Florence, Oregon Call or Email 520.850.3563 maryjo3663@msn.com m CCB# 55030 County Transfer & Recycling 541-997-5691 541-361-9080 Member MTNA and OMTA Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence Private Lessons in Florence for Ages 6-Adult. Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Awards • Plaques • Name Badges Gifts • Signage • Glassware Visit rivercal.org for more calendar events. MM Piano Studio We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Call, Text or Email May 6 Parking Lot Sale 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! Broker Open to public Florence Habitat for Humanity ReStore Glass For Every Purpose 1780 Kingwood St. 541-997-8526 Commerical • Residential Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly, One Time Pick-Up. Village Grooming 4981 Highway 101, across Munsel Lake Rd Easy curb side recycling program- No additional costs to our customers. 5078 Coastwood Lane 541-305-5411 Call us at 541-997-8233 appointment Call for an
