Special Project Oversight Committee (SPOC) Report #1

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Courthouse Square update #2 hrip://www. open. org/mcboc/csquare/update2.htm Update on Courthouse Square: November 1997 Courthouse Square, the joint venture project proposed by Marion County and the Salem Area Transit District, has been undergoing a redesign in recent months. Startup of the project has been delayed while transit and the county check construction and operating costs. On advice of our new project developers, the Melvin Mark Development Company, we have deliberately held back on final approval of the design until there is assurance that the project would be within the original budget pazameters. The original design called for 180,000 square feet of office building to house government offices, leased private office space and space for private retail activity. Concerns from the business community that the project had too much pnvate office space and concern by the county and transit district that costs would exceed the original budget projections prompted the redesign to reduce the size and cost of the building. To make financing easier and less costly, the public and private portions have been separated into two building units. The final building design contains all the original elements of the project: the Hatfield Plaza on High Street, a weather-protected transit mall, a ground floor conference center, private retail space, offstreet parking and space for county and transit district offices. Check out the new concentual designs! Demolition of the Senator block buildings was completed in September by Staton Construction of Eugene. Many valley residents took advantage of the free brick give-away program as the buildings were leveled. Nearly 16,000 tons of building materials were salvaged and recycled as part of the demolition process. Foss Environmental Services remains on the site this fall removing old fuel storage tanks and contaminated soils. The project has received quite a bit of publicity lately as county and transit district officials have reviewed the design and cost issues. A community update was held November 19 to present the current status of the project and provide the public with an opportunity to ask questions and the Marion County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on November 26. Other opportunities for comment will also be scheduled. For comments and questions use our E-~sArL ~ Return to Courthouse Sc~uare Home Page ~ Return to Board of ommissioners Home Pag~ ~ R~turn to Marion Countv Home Pag~ PEN Home Page 1 of 1 ~ Return to OPEN Home Pag~ 12/10/97 1:02 PM