<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=24E1eg_18JFLmLI00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=24E1eg_18JFLmLI00" width="737" height="281" ><figcaption>1/6 A concept drawing of mixed-use commercial and residential development at the Gateway site in Talent, located at the intersection of Highway 99 and West Valley View Road. (Edlen &amp; Co. image)</figcaption></figure>Redevelopment of 4.3-acre urban renewal site, once used for 2020 Almeda Fire survivors, targets residential and commercial construction, plus city-owned business incubatorTalent officials have selected a development firm to negotiate with for development of the 4.3-acre Gateway urban renewal site at the east entrance to downtown.Edlen &amp; Co. of Portland was chosen in a joint meeting of the City Council and the Talent Urban Renewal Agency board held Wednesday. Edlen would bring three local project team members for the effort: Arkitek, Outlier Construction and Trusted Homes.“Edlen’s concept is more in line with what the community has wanted over the years for this site,” said Councilor Ana Byers. All but one other councilor supported the selection of Edlen.Since acquiring the land at the corner of West Valley View Road and Highway 99 a decade ago, TURA has made several attempts to develop the site with a mix of housing and commercial projects. After the 2020 Almeda Fire, the site hosted trailer units to house fire survivors.Edlen’s proposal includes four three-story residential buildings with 12 two-bedroom units, 32 one-bedroom units and four studios. There would be 10 standalone houses of 1,100-square-feet each. Commercial space would total 13,950 square feet of ground floor with 28 studio units atop them. There would be 62 parking spaces.Early in Wednesday’s meeting, input on the project from the public was sought following a 1-1/2 hour open house where displays on the proposals were shown and firm representative were available to discuss their plans.Just one comment, offered remotely, was given on the project by Todd Hoener of Talent. He expressed concerns that a three-story apartment building shown in one concept along the south side of the site could impact the adjoining Gangnes neighborhood.Solar access might be a concern with the proposal, Hoener said. He called for moving taller buildings toward the center of the Gateway site.When no one else from the public signed up to speak, the session was opened to allow for comments by the firm representatives and questions from the public and officials.Hacienda Development Corp. of Portland was the other contender for the project. The firm was partnering with Wash Construction and Salazar Architects Inc., which had previously done design work for development of the site.Hacienda was represented by Brian Shelton-Kelley. Edlen was represented by Christopher Brown of Arkitek.“These are really just concepts,” Brown said of the drawing included in the Edlen proposal in response to questions from Councilor Daniel Collay. They are types, not outcomes, at this point, he added.Asked by an audience member about parking, Brown said, “Parking is going to be a challenge. It always is. Especially with traffic coming of off Highway 99. “Edlen’s effort would try to bring a Gateway space to downtown Talent at the corner of the Highway 99 and West Valley View Road, where commercial spaces would be located, Brown said. Creation of a suspension bridge feature at the corner might occur, he added.Asked about land ownership, Brown said there were several models and some land may be owned by trusts while other might be held by residents. Trusted Homes has experience with trust property ownership.A proposed business incubator would be owned by the city, but other lands would be held by others, said City Manger Alex Campbell.Board member Rosario Medina voted against negotiating with Edlen and earlier said she supported Hacienda because of its ideas for low-income housing in its proposal. The urban renewal board is comprised of the six Talent city councilors and is chaired by Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood.Campbell, Ayers-Flood and council members said they had received two excellent proposals from the firms.Development of the business incubator space on part of the Gateway site has moved into a new phase at the council’s direction.Talent Business Alliance is now developing a more complete plan after responding to a request of interest call from TURA. TBA is proposing a Gateway Hub marketplace, retail store, commissary kitchen, education and co-working spaces.One other applicant, Startup Runway LLC of Texas, submitted a letter of interest to develop the business incubator. However, city staff recommend to the council at the Jan. 7 meeting that TBA be selected.Startup Runway’s proposal was seen as not matching Talent’s needs. The firm frequently works on tech firm incubation.A report on the market feasibility of the TBA proposal is being developed by Marketek for the business alliance. That report is funded by a $19,800 Ford Family Foundation grant and a $9,000 grant from TURA.The agency is awaiting both the feasibility study and the complete business plan before deciding to move ahead, said Campbell.A business incubator space has been included in visioning for the site since it was first purchased. At one point, Talent Maker City was seen as a possible business incubator at the site, but the organization built nearby on Talent Avenue working with Arkitek and Outlier.Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at tboomwriter@gmail.com.</div></body>

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Redevelopment of 4.3-acre urban renewal site, once used for 2020 Almeda Fire survivors, targets residential and commercial construction, plus city-owned business incubator. Talent officials have selected a development firm to negotiate with for development of the 4.3-acre Gateway urban renewal site at the east entrance to downtown. Edlen & Co....

 Talent picks developer for long-awaited Gateway project

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Redevelopment of 4.3-acre urban renewal site, once used for 2020 Almeda Fire survivors, targets residential and commercial construction, plus city-owned bu

Talent picks developer for long-awaited Gateway project

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 Talent picks developer for long-awaited Gateway project