By Scott Unger • Of the News-Register • 

Third Street project cost estimates in $30M range

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Comments

readinghourly

Concrete Roadway, Curbless. What are they talking about. This is on the same wavelength as suggesting businesses downtown get rid of their awnings. Do the people on this design committee even live here?

Otis

yes....The Design Committee members live here in Mac.

The public wanted a pedestrian walking mall....but a curbless third st is the compromise we will have to live with for now.

Keep in mind that whatever design they came up with that some of us were always going to hate it no matter what.

There is no perfect design that pleases everyone....and $$$ always wins over a better plan.

This project is an improvement on existing infrastructure that will help to bring more folks shopping on third...which means more $$$ for Mac.....and that is a good thing.

Everyone loves infrastructure....we can all agree on that.

fiddler

and another bond!

Ron

Otis, I bet some of those people on the design committee you were talking about living here definitely were not born and raised here or they would not want to ruin McMinnville downtown with this stupid idea. Plan on more business closing down on third Street if this pedestrian crap happens.People will not shop and eat if they have to park elsewhere. People driving through and visiting will just keep on going.I can’t believe the anti-car people have influenced you and the locals that would encourage this plan. How about saving Millions of Dollars! Take some trees out and plant new ones that conform and put Turkey Rama back on 3rd.St. All the wasted money on consultants could be saved. All these ideas would fit well in California and Down town Portland.McMinnville needs to step back. One thing McMinnville does have is lots of Apartments and lots of Homeless and that lines up perfectly with Portland. Try to keep McMinnville like it was. start by slowing down the greenies ,millennials and snowflakes involved in our planning led by Heather Richard’s. Is there a normal local adult left that doesn’t start by sucking up millions of dollars in grants UNG funds etc. to do these stupid projects ?

Ron

Otis, I bet some of those people on the design committee you were talking about living here definitely were not born and raised here or they would not want to ruin McMinnville downtown with this stupid idea. Plan on more business closing down on third Street if this pedestrian crap happens.People will not shop and eat if they have to park elsewhere. People driving through and visiting will just keep on going.I can’t believe the anti-car people have influenced you and the locals that would encourage this plan. How about saving Millions of Dollars! Take some trees out and plant new ones that conform and put Turkey Rama back on 3rd.St. All the wasted money on consultants could be saved. All these ideas would fit well in California and Down town Portland.McMinnville needs to step back. One thing McMinnville does have is lots of Apartments and lots of Homeless and that lines up perfectly with Portland. Try to keep McMinnville like it was. start by slowing down the greenies ,millennials and snowflakes involved in our planning led by Heather Richard’s. Is there a normal local adult left that doesn’t start by sucking up millions of dollars in grants UNG funds etc. to do these stupid projects ?

NJINILNCCAOR

I was losing around Third Street during the UFO parade.

It actually is pretty nice, except for the sidewalks and closed businesses. Has an old timey feel — comfortable, quirky.

Doesn’t need much. Just a fix up.

Fire the consultants.

Just give us what we once had, just a few years ago.

NJINILNCCAOR

Whoops — tying. Meant to say “I was LOOKING… “

Otis

Ron,
Thank you so much for your thoughts on my comment. I do appreciate the feedback.

Ron, have you ever even been to a town with a walking mall?

There is so much less noise, exhaust fumes, and dangerous trucks and cars that might hit you. Walking is also good for your health. Walking malls have Lots of buskers, cafes, shady trees, birds chirping, and dining outside.

here is a successful example:
https://visitwinchesterva.com/location/attractions/historic-downtown/

As for everyone on the board being born and raised here, that shouldn't matter one bit. They are YOUR neighbors. They ARE part of this community....and they are willing to give their time and energy to sit on this board.

Thanks again.
Looking forward to your thoughts.


lizsmith

Seems to me that the City keeps finding over priced price tags. I am all for doing repairs to the sturcture but putting in fancy new things and making continue changes is not needed. Do they not understand that change orders on plans causes a big rise in costs. I am not for us making cuts and then turning around and spending millions.

Otis

I'm a big fan of making infrastructure look nice.

I mean, why should it look plain and ugly?

The new terminal at PDX looks awesome. Should they have done nothing to make it look good?

Timberline lodge is awesome....built with federal dollars. Should they have not tried to make it look nice?

I build things...and I renovate things...and I always try to make it look nice....and be proud of my work so I know that people will enjoy my work when they look at it.

tagup

Man, I'm no expert, but those cost estimates seem huge. $5.5 million for pavement & hardscape for 9 blocks? Wow!

A cost increase of 23% from last year might need an explanation for those of us that haven't been following the project closely.

Ron

Hi Otis. I agree and I have been to other towns and enjoyed pedestrian only areas malls, walks etc. they are beautiful, nice and peaceful agreed.
Just too old school here to believe McMinnville 3Rd.St.is the place for it. Third Street should remain third street with automobiles some new trees and repaired walks not the 30 million which won’t improve anybody’s livelihood in McMinnville.
Third Street businesses would suffer. People are not going to park at Oregon mutual first federal first Street 4th Street because there is no parking during the day. And think about the residential neighbors, they will not be happy either.. just my view appreciate yours. Big thing is the cost is ridiculous. Black to Tagup that’s a ridiculous amount of money for 9 blocks. Must be some stainless steel and golden artwork in that price. The big waste is the consultants. Any project needs to rain in the cost of these consultants. It’s laughable to think the consult would be in it for McMinnville. They’re in it for their invoices that are paid.

Otis

With the grants coming forward the city will not be paying the full 30 mill. The city will probably pay closer to 6 million.

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