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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (March 12, 2020)
Cottage Grove Sentinel Community News D1 THURSDAY | MARCH 12, 2020 DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL The iconic Bank Building along Main Street in Cottage Grove’s Historic District is evolving with a look to recpature its past while providing housing for the future. Local developer’s vision reshaping Cottage Grove Projects headed by developer Len Blackstone aim to improve jobs, housing By Damien Sherwood dsherwood@cgsentinel.com L en Blackstone is trying to revitalize Cottage Grove — one project at a time. As owner, general contractor and land- lord of the Bank Building on the corner of Main and Sixth streets, Blackstone is secur- ing a lasting difference downtown with the building’s renovation. At this year’s Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony in January, Blackstone received the Community Impact Award for his work on the Bank Building and other projects, which have included the Stewart Building on Main Street and brokering land sales in the Cottage Grove Industrial Park. On top of these, the developer is also planning a housing project on the old Har- rison Elementary School property. “[I’m trying to] bring more well-paying jobs to our community,” said Blackstone, summarizing his goal for the town. Blackstone’s interest in development projects for Cottage Grove began during a parade on Main Street as he gazed at the dilapidated Bank Building. “I asked a life-changing question: ‘What can I do to help my hometown?’” he said. Using his decades of marketing expe- rience, Blackstone in effect hired himself to take on Cottage Grove as client and, through his analysis, deter- mined that jobs were the key to answering his question. “Jobs are related to busi- nesses, businesses are relat- ed to buildings, buildings are related to land — so in one sense it’s really con- nected to jobs, people and space,” he said. “For me, it’s not about real estate. It’s not about buildings. It’s about well-paying jobs, because well-paying jobs provide money for fami- lies to feed their kids, raise their kids and live a better life.” He also recognized that people need businesses which provide this standard of living. In this, Blackstone began wondering how to revive downtown. Blackstone recalled one day in down- town Oregon City striking up a conversa- tion with a parking enforcement officer. He asked if the area had always looked as nice as it did. The officer replied that it hadn’t and when she was a little girl, the area was actually dangerous. Blackstone asked her what happened. The officer pointed to a renovated build- ing and said, “That was the biggest, ugliest building in downtown.” “Jobs are related to businesses, businesses are related to buildings, buildings are related to land — so in one sense it’s really connected to jobs, people and space.” — Len Blackstone, local developer The interaction stuck with Blackstone and he later saw a similar metamorpho- sis of a Salem neighborhood utilizing the same concept. Ideas for Cottage Grove’s Bank Building began churning. ‘Live, Work and Play’ Making the 115-year-old Bank Building downtown a focus of his attention has been perhaps the most conspicuous of Black- stone’s efforts. Built in 1904, the two-story building was originally the site of the Cottage Grove Bank, hence the prominent typeface “Bank n Vegetable Transplants n Fruit Trees 20 Palmer Ave. n Cottage Grove n (541) 942-0510 The Latest Lawn Care Equipment Save time and energy with the latest lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers and accessories. • Country Home Products • Redmax • Hustler Turf • Generators • Chippers Welcome Anthony Grillo, MD A southern Oregon native, Dr. Grillo is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery. Call for an appointment today! We Service Everything We Sell CASCADE GARDEN EQUIPMENT,LLC 1035 Conger St. #3 Eugene, OR 97402 cascadegardenequip.com Call 541-942-5000 541.344.6992 Literary Salon March 14 •6:30 pm “A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to ZMÅVM\PM\I[\MIVLQVKZMI[M\PMSVW_TMLOMWN\PM XIZ\QKQXIV\[\PZW]OPKWV^MZ[I\QWVº – ?QSQXMLQI See VISION 2D Comprehensive Family Medical Eye Care and Optical Services n The Northwest’s Finest Gardening Seed n Flowers, Herbs, & Shrubs Building” displayed on its façade. When the institution failed and moved out in 1929, businesses began claiming space and a hodgepodge of changes contributed to the building falling out of recognition. Decades of patchwork modifications had stripped the building of much of its original aesthetic, causing a lack of architectural continu- ity between its ground floor businesses while leaving the second floor’s face to weather and crack due to inattention. Blackstone’s project will see a complete renovation of the interior, establishing businesses, offices and work spaces on the ground floor and six modernized apartments above while re- turning the original balance and symmetry to its outside appearance. As the apartments are nearing comple- tion, citizens were invited to an open house in February to observe the changes and even apply for future residency. “I think they’re doing a great job.,” said local resident Cathy Donahue. “It makes it look better.” Live Music Every Friday 6 to 9 pm || No Cover Charge Mar 6 • Calvary Creek Classic Pop, Rock and Folk Mar 13 • The Hipbillys 257 N. 8th St. • www.pcvi.com Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Official LASIK and Eye Doctors of the Oregon Ducks and Eugene Emeralds 15% OFF Any service with coupon Schedule your appointment Today! Not Valid on any service Exceeding $100 • Expires 03-31-20 Not valid with any other offer. Our People Really Make The Difference! Acoustic Folk-Rock Mar 20 • Heavy Chevy Lite Classic Rock 513 E. Main St. Cottage Grove, OR 541-623-0513 Open Daily 11am for Complimentary Tasting 942-1364 X www.saginawvineyard.com 541-942-4415 • 2775 Row River Road • bradschevy.com
