The Grants Pass City Council has given the green light to proceed with redesigning a downtown parking lot for use as a community gathering place.
During its bi-weekly workshop session on Monday, a majority of the City Council approved plans to move ahead with the Owl Lot Plaza Update.
Community Development Director Brad Clark affirmed that the primary purpose for the Owl Lot will continue to be parking, but he acknowledged the need for a community gathering space for large events such as Art Along the Rogue. Citizens who participated in a survey said the lot could benefit from increased shade, areas for seating, public art and historic interpretation.
Clark said around $350,000 is available for the redesign and construction of the lot.
Monday's discussion was the end of Phase 1 of the project, with Phase 2 being a draft of a Request for Proposal and Phase 3 the award of a construction contract.
In other business, the Council voted 6-2 to hold a strategic planning session every two years instead of every year. A special workshop will be held in the off years to hear from the city's advisory committees and commissions. The first one will be held in January 2024. A motion to pay $15,000 to a consultant to facilitate the strategic planning session was defeated by a 5-3 vote.
After the workshop was adjourned, the City Council went on a tour of Tussing and Morrison Centennial parks to view the situation with the unhoused population who are living there as a result of a federal court injunction.
