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Council backs Gateway District beautification push for Ashland's South Side
Summary
Councilors praised a presentation to brand and beautify the Exit 14 corridor as a Gateway District, with short-term low-cost actions, chamber involvement and a September follow-up to present cost spreadsheets and next steps.
Councillor Duquesne presented a Gateway District concept for Ashland's South Side (Exit 14 corridor) and framed the work as more than beautification: a means to spur economic growth and workforce housing.
The presentation highlighted low-cost, short-term actions such as weed abatement, bike-lane cleanup and a welcome sign and identified potential funding from the transient lodging tax (TLT). Duquesne said she had discussed ideas with the chamber and regional economic development (Blair Sundale) and with the public-arts group White Rabbit, and asked staff to return in September with a cost spreadsheet covering short-, mid- and long-term items.
Councilors broadly supported the proposal. "I like a lot of this," said Councillor Caput, who favored the Gateway District name over "South Side," and Councillor Bloom called the idea "a no brainer" and urged moving district identity into short-term work to help attract funding and grants. Staff warned that code enforcement capacity is limited (the city has one code officer and one weed-abatement staff member) and that some improvements fall on private property or ODOT right-of-way, which requires coordination.
Council direction focused on continued outreach, a September follow-up with cost estimates, and working with private landowners and the chamber to deploy short-term, visible improvements while the city explores longer-term redevelopment and funding strategies.
