The Grants Pass City Council was unanimous in a motion to move forward with gathering more information on a proposed project for Riverside Park's Caretaker's Cottage at the start of today's workshop.
Bradley Clark with Community Development presented in consideration of Requests for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) regarding the cottage. A previous community survey result showed 75% of participants wanted to save the building.
Six yurts were proposed to go next to the cottage, with a Riverside Maintenance Yard Expansion. The purpose of the RFEI is to attract an investor to help with the cost. Exterior and foundation work costs would be incurred on the city.
Bernie Woodard, representing Elk Island Trading in a yurt proposal for the site providing overnight lodging at the facility, had said staff haven't come to a site layout configuration that would accommodate the needs of both Elk Island and the Parks Division. He has stated lodging only in the cottage without the yurts isn't financially feasible.
Council direction was needed on a potential Municipal Code to allow overnight camping in a public park.
According to Woodard, the potential cost to the city for the project would be around $100,000. Guestimates on revenue streams would come from the lease agreement with Elk Island, lodging, and tourism. Yurts could cost from $100 to $250 a night.
A motion to move forward with gathering information on the project from the parks department regarding public parking, revenue streams, cost, and historic importance via survey passed unanimously. Following this, a motion to appoint Seth Benham and Kathleen Krohn as members of the Elk Island Review Panel passed 6-1. Mayor Clint Scherf was absent.
