by Lowell Thomas

The sidewalk planters in the core area are looking a bit sad after our recent cold snap. The pansies are beginning to come back, and a few of the geraniums may come back from their roots. Seiya Nishi says the ideal plants for surviving the cold would be primroses. However, the wholesale growers of the hybrid primroses that would do so well in our winters don’t have them available in late summer when we need them. A few years ago Seyia had some left over in his stock that had survived the summer in a very shady spot.

He put them in the planters that year, and they did great all winter. The past few years he hasn’t had any leftovers (Coquille residents bought all of his stock and have them in their own yards). He said that to have primroses in the planters next winter would require “summering over” about 100 plants next year. This is possible, but the flower project would have to raise more funds earlier in the year to purchase these plants when they are available in the spring. This reminds us that it is time to start making donations to support next summer’s hanging flower baskets as well. Donations received by December 31 can be used as tax deductions for 2009 tax returns. Donations postmarked by that date and mailed to Operation Coquille, PO Box 225, Coquille, OR, 97423, will be receipted as 2009 donations. This project costs between $2,000 and $3,000 each year and is entirely supported by public donations. The new light posts adjacent to the site of the new McKay’s store have hangers for two flower baskets on each pole. The baskets and their flowers are estimated to cost about $100 for each pole.

This will be the first expansion of the hanging flower baskets in several years. The project committee hopes that the public will be generous in supporting this extension of the project into the former GP mill site this coming year. These poles have builtin watering hoses, so the new baskets will not increase the hand watering labors of the volunteers who take care of the existing basket locations during the summer.

Several of the faithful volunteers in this project are not going to be able to continue next summer, so some new volunteers will be needed next summer. Persons interested in helping in this project can sign up at the Coquille Garden Shop on Central (between Curves and the Motel) with Seyia Nishi. One of the objectives of Operation Coquille is to foster and encourage the redevelopment of Coquille’s core area to restore it to its former position as the cultural and commercial center of southwestern Oregon. Operation Coquille would like to remind the folks looking at various sites for a modernized community library that phase 3 of the community center development project contains a much expanded space for the library and ought not to be forgotten during the decision making processes. That phase provides for a retractable cover for the pool, and expanded library and a new visitors center. Folks interested in supporting or being involved in these efforts are encouraged to become Operation Coquille members. Membership forms are available in The Sentinel office on First Street in downtown Coquille.

Operation Coquille provides a tax exempt umbrella for many projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life in our community. Those having project ideas can apply for inclusion under this umbrella to enable them to offer tax deductibility to their project supporters and to obtain help in fundraising. Member dues and, sometimes, a small portion of earnings from investing project funds cover the expense of overhead functions so that all funds donated for projects are used to accomplish them.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN COQUILLE
by Lowell Thomas

Last month the pool committee discussed the possibility of purchasing the pumps, filters, slides and other accessory equipment for the new pool directly from the manufacturers. Last week the pool committee received the report that engineering and purchase documentation for this equipment would cost less than $10,000. Also, the committee received a promise from Mayor Steve Britton that he could provide protected storage for this equipment until it was time to install it. Since some of the grant applications now in process are for specific pieces of equipment, the committee is seriously considering proceeding in this direction.

 Based on information from pool architect Carl Sherwood, it appears substantial cost savings could be achieved at this time. The hanging flower baskets which have been beautifying the core area and along Central this summer are nearing the end of another season. Although the project committee is planning to keep the baskets up through most of September, they say that some of the baskets in locations subject to the most highly exposed conditions of wind and sun have begun fading and have had to be removed. In the middle of September the project committee plans to discontinue watering the baskets so they can dry out and lose weight and be easier to lift down. At the last monthly Operation Coquille, Inc. board meeting Seyia Nishi reported that some of the baskets are beginning to fail and will need replacing next year. The baskets now in use originally cost about $50 each.

 Their replacements will cost about $75 each because they are made of petroleum based plastic materials which have increased in cost in the past few years. The public is urged to begin donating funds to provide for replacement baskets needed for next summer. The committee involved in downtown restoration is exploring options for creating a new parking area between the building housing Bill’s Place and Figaros on First Street. The building owner says he is taking steps to stabilize the wall that has been falling into the small parking area adjacent to the building.. However, he says he prefers to sell the building to someone who wishes to restore the site to economic viability because he has other projects to complete at this time and does not have time to devote to this project.

 Committee members are concerned about this property because the future viability of Coquille’s “downtown” depends on efficient use of all space available within the land area currently zoned for commercial use. A survey is being conducted by the downtown merchants to provide information about which future uses the community desires to see in the downtown area. The public is encouraged to participate in this survey to aid in the decision making processes that are currently under way in efforts to restore Coquille’s commercial area. Operation Welcome continues to provide special bags containing information about services and merchants in Coquille to folks newly arrived here.

Newcomers, or those knowing of newcomers, are invited to call the Sentinel phone number (396-3191) and ask for Dian with their requests for these bags. So many bags have been given out this summer that supplies of “sample wares” from local merchants have been exhausted, so the project persons are out and about soliciting replacement supplies. Any firm or organization desiring to have representation in the welcome bags should contact Dian and arrange to get their information and materials to her. Operation Coquille Inc. needs more volunteer members willing to help carry out community benefit projects for improving our quality of life. Individuals can become members by coming into the Sentinel office on First St., completing a membership form, and leaving the form with a dues payment on our desk. (Dues are only $20 per year.)

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN COQUILLE
by Lowell Thomas

The hanging flower baskets are still beautifying the core area and along Central. Although the project committee is planning to keep the baskets up through most of September, they expect a few baskets that are in locations subject to the most highly exposed conditions of wind and sun to begin fading during September. Those baskets have already started to be taken down. In the middle of September the project committee plans to discontinue watering the baskets.

 Then they will wait for about two weeks for the baskets to dry out and lose weight so they will be easier to lift down. At the last monthly Operation Coquille, Inc. board meeting Seyia Nishi reported that some of the baskets are beginning to fail and will need replacing next year. The baskets now in use originally cost about $50 each. Their replacements will cost about $75 each because they are made of petroleum based plastic materials which have increased in cost in the past few years. The public is urged to begin donating funds to provide for replacement baskets needed for next summer. A committee involved in downtown restoration met with the owner of the building housing Bill’s Place to explore options for restoring the usefulness of the site.

As it stands now, the building wall adjacent to the lower parking area between it and Figaros is considered to be unsafe, limiting the use of the exesting parking area. The building owner says he is taking steps to stabilize the wall. He says he wishes to sell the building to someone who wishes to restore the site to economic viability because he has other projects to complete at this time and does not have time to devote to this project. The possibilities for the site that were discussed ranged from demolishing the existing buildings to create a much needed parking lot, to full restoration of the two buildings located there. Cost and feasibility alternatives were explored and it became obvious that further engineering and construction cost information is needed before any final decision can be reached about how best to redevelop this site.

The committee is going to look further into this situation in relation to its role in the context of restoration of the entire downtown area. It was pointed out that the city’s revised building code allows for development of buildings required to provide on-site offstreet parking to use alternative parking if available on a permanent basis within reasonable distance. Redevelopment of many existing downtown buildings is currently being limited because they cannot provide on-site, off-street parking for proposed commercial and/or residential uses.

 A survey being conducted by the downtown merchants is intended to provide information about which future uses the community desires to see in the downtown area. Committee members encourage participation in this survey to aid in the decision making processes that are currently under way in efforts to restore Coquille’s commercial area. Operation Welcome provides newcomers special bags containing information about services and merchants in Coquille. Newcomers, or those knowing of newcomers, are invited to call the Sentinel phone number (396-3191) and ask for Dian with their requests for these bags. So many bags have been given out this summer that supplies of “sample wares” from local merchants have been exhausted, so the project persons are out and about soliciting replacement supplies. Any firm or organization desiring to have representation in the welcome bags should contact Dian and arrange to get their information and materials to her.

 Operation Coquille Inc. needs more volunteer members willing to help carry out community benefit projects for improving our quality of life. Individuals can become members by coming into the Sentinel office on First St., completing a membership form, and leaving the form with a dues payment on our desk. (Dues are only $20 per year.)

At a meeting of persons interested in  downtown restoration last week the formation  of a formal citizen’s advisory committee  was discussed.

It was pointed out that  both the Coquille Comprehensive Plan and  the Coquille Urban Renewal Plan contain  provisions for general public participation  in efforts to restore “blighted” areas within  what is now known as the Coquille  Downtown. The Oregon Revised Statutes  governing Urban Renewal Plans contain  provisions for the appointment of a  Citizens’ Advisory Committee as part of the  “blighted area” restoration process.

Those  present at last week’s meeting agreed that  the building housing “Bill’s Place” should  receive very high priority in any downtown  restoration effort. That building appears to  be in violation of several Codes including  the Building Code and the Health Code. In  the past the City has gone as far as condemnation  and even using the condemned  structure as a “burn-to-learn” site for the  Fire Department (as it did many years ago  at the lot on which I built the house in  which I live.) Suggestions were made about  how to remove the “Bill’s Place” building  to allow the land under it to be redeveloped.  Those involved in this discussion felt  the owner of this property should become  involved in these considerations an plan to  invite him to their next meeting. It was  also pointed out that the new city land use  code allows parking in nearby areas as an  alternative to “on site” parking required to  upgrade the usage of buildings currently  existing in the downtown area, provided the  parking is of a “permanent” nature.

A  “publicly owned” parking area where the  “Bill’s Place” building now sits would satisfy  that criteria, thereby facilitating further  commercial and residential development in  downtown Coquille.  The Community Pool committee continues  its grant application activities. Another  grant request is being submitted this week  for the specific purpose of funding the water  slide portion of the project. Pictures of the  proposed new pool are available several  places downtown, at the pool itself and at  Judy’s New Image on Central and Sixth.  The hanging flower baskets are still beautifying  the core area and along Central.  Although the project committee is planning  to keep the baskets up through most of  September, they expect a few baskets that  are in locations subject to the most highly  exposed conditions of wind and sun to  begin fading during September. Those baskets  have already started to be taken down.  At the last monthly Operation Coquille, Inc.

 board meeting Seyia Nishi reported that  some of the baskets are beginning to fail  and will need replacing next year. The baskets  now in use originally cost about $50  each. Their replacements will cost more  because they are made of petroleum based  plastic materials which have increased in  cost in the past few years. The public is  urged to begin donating funds to provide for  replacement baskets needed before next  summer.  The Teen and Parent Resource Center  at The Hat Shop on Central continues to  provide a wide array of information for  those dealing with depression and suicidal  tendencies. They anticipate that demand for  their information will be increasing as the  end of summer nears.  Operation Welcome provides newcomers  special bags containing information about  services and merchants in Coquille.  Newcomers, or those knowing of newcomers,  are invited to call the Sentinel phone  number (396-3191) and ask for Dian with  their requests for these bags.

 Operation Coquille Inc. needs more volunteer  members willing to help carry out  community benefit projects for improving  our quality of life. Individuals can become  members by coming into the Sentinel office  on First St., completing a membership form,  and leaving the form with a dues payment  on our desk. (Dues are only $20 per year.)

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN COQUILLE
by Lowell Thomas

The core area “downtown” is the heart of Coquille’s commercial and cultural activities. Since its founding in 2003, Operation Coquille, Inc. has been involved in restoration of this area. At one time, Coquille’s core area was the heart of commercial and cultural activities for all of southwestern Oregon residents. People from throughout the region came to Coquille to purchase the goods they needed and to attend events that enriched them culturally.

 The community center large auditorium has seen as many as 800 attendees when major performing groups graced its stage. Although many are discouraged at the slowness of restoration progress, there are positive signs that things are moving forward. The Urban Renewal Agency has hired a consulting firm to advise them about the amount of funds they can invest in the core area under the already 10-year old Urban Renewal Plan. Based on numbers floating around at a recent public meeting, it appears that it may be possible to spend up to almost 12 million dollars of “public money” if property owners and grant funding for core area projects spend 36 million dollars of “private money.”

The major question before Coquille as a community is that of how 48 million dollars should best be spent on restoring the core area (including the former GP Mill site) to its former glory. Several groups have ideas about specific projects, but an overall plan to tie them all together has not yet been finalized. Both the city’s comprehensive plan and the urban renewal plan contain generalities of objectives to be achieved, but the details of how much to be spent on which projects still need to be fleshed out so the actual work of restoration can seriously get under way.

The hanging flower baskets are beautifying the core area and along Central. This year the project committee is planning to keep the baskets up through most of September, depending on weather conditions. They expect a few baskets that are in locations subject to the most highly exposed conditions of wind and sun to begin fading during September. Those baskets may get taken down earlier than the rest. At the last monthly Operation Coquille, Inc. board meeting Seyia Nishi reported that some of the baskets are beginning to fail and will need replacing next year. The baskets now in use originally cost about $50 each. Their replacements will cost more because they are made of petroleum based plastic materials which have increased in cost in the past few years.

The public is urged to begin donating funds to provide for replacement baskets needed before next summer. The River Walk project is hoping that continued local support through brick purchases will help them show they have enough local support to convince grant organizations to participate in funding their project. Brick purchase forms are available at the community center, city hall and the Sentinel office. Sample bricks can be seen at the community center and at the Sentinel office. The Teen and Parent Resource Center at The Hat Shop on Central continues to provide a wide array of information for those dealing with depression and suicidal tendencies. They anticipate that demand for their information will be increasing as the end of summer nears.

 Operation Welcome provides newcomers special bags containing information about services and merchants in Coquille. Newcomers, or those knowing of newcomers, are invited to call the Sentinel phone number (396-3191) and ask for Dian with their requests for these bags. The number of newcomers seems to be increasing. Operation Coquille Inc. needs more volunteer members willing to help carry out community benefit projects for improving our quality of life. Individuals can become members by coming into the Sentinel office on First St., completing a membership form, and leaving the form with a dues payment on our desk. (Dues are only $20 per year.)

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN COQUILLE
by Lowell Thomas

The Community Pool Project  Committee made its request for funds from  the Coquille Urban Renewal Agency on  August 3. (Current feedback from major  grant funding sources is that their taking  any action before the end of 2009 depends  on a commitment from the Coquille Urban  Renewal Agency.) Members of the Urban  Renewal Agency thanked the pool committee  for their presentation. They said they  were in the process of having a team of  professional consultants review the  Coquille Urban Renewal Plan and that it  would not be prudent of them to make any  major project commitment until after they  have received the final report.

They are  expecting the consultants to provide recommendations  about how to proceed, how  much they can borrow and spend, and  which projects could be considered for  receipt of urban renewal funding. They recommended  that committee members bring  their information to the public input meeting  being held on August 6 so the consultants  could include the project in their  report. They indicated their final response  to the pool committee’s request for funding  would be guided by the consultant’s recommendations.

The report is not expected until  October or November according to City  Manager Terrance O’Connor, so their decision  will not be made until November or  December. At their monthly meeting on  August 4 the committee asked their grant  writer, Gary Combs, to continue his efforts  with the above Urban Renewal Agency timing  in mind. The committee also began  efforts to cultivate providers of “in kind”  services and materials for portions of the  project to reduce the cash cost of pool construction.  They also approved asking the  pool architect for a cost estimate for preparing  a portion of the construction documentation  which could allow them to explore  direct purchase of some of the discreet  equipment such as pumps, filters, the water  slide, etc. within the time frame limitations  in some of the grant funding applications  that have already been submitted.

The hanging flower baskets are beautifying  the core area and along Central. In  order to provide a “maintenance” cushion for  getting ready for the 2010 season, the public  is encouraged to continue sending in their  donations for this project. At last week’s  monthly board meeting Seyia Nishi reported  that some of the baskets are beginning to fail  and will need replacing next year. The baskets  now in use originally cost about $50  each. Their replacements will cost more  because they are made of petroleum based  plastic materials which have increased in cost  in the past few years..

Since the grant request this year for funding  from the State Parks and Recreation  Department has not been funded, the River  Walk project is hoping that continued local  support through brick purchases will help  them in showing local support needed to support  future applications to other grant organizations.

Brick purchase forms are available  at the community center, city hall and the  Sentinel office. Sample bricks can be seen at  the community center and at the Sentinel  office.  The Teen and Parent Resource Center at  The Hat Shop on Central continues to provide  a wide array of information for those  dealing with depression and suicidal tendencies.  They anticipate that demand for their  information will be increasing as the end of  summer nears.  Operation Welcome provides newcomers  special bags containing information about  services and merchants in Coquille.  Newcomers, or those knowing of newcomers,  are invited to call the Sentinel phone  number (396-3191) and ask for Dian with  their requests for these bags. The number of  newcomers seems to be increasing.

Operation Coquille Inc. needs more volunteer  members willing to help carry out community  benefit projects for improving our  quality of life. Individuals can become members  by coming into the Sentinel office on  First St., completing a membership form, and  leaving the form with a dues payment on our  desk. (Dues are only $20 per year.)