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Siuslaw News Friday, October 6, 2023 Florence, Oregon
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Council close to approving 20-year transportation plan
By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Siuslaw News
After more than a year of work, the Florence City Council is expected to approve 20-year transportation plan at its Oct. 16 meeting. During the council’s last meeting in September, members heard about the plan, which has been worked on since April 2022. The Transportation System Plan will be used to identify transportation-related projects to be built or improved over the next two decades. The plan looks at roadways in the city, bike paths, pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, driveways and much more. It identifies dozens of proj-
Planning Commission extends hotel review By RODNEY HARWOOD Special to Country Media
The Florence Planning Commission approved a request for an extension for the Design Review for an 86-unit hotel on 13.12-acres of Urban Renewal owned vacant land east of the Florence Event Center, in the Old Town Area C zoning district on Sept. 26 during its regular scheduled meeting. The request by Quince Street Hospitality and Florence Urban Renewal Agency is for the extension is for the Design Review only. The original resolution contains consolidated conditional approvals Planning Commission made on Aug. 23, 2022, for a Design Review and a Site Investigation Report. Because of the short time since approval only an extension of the Design Review portion is necessary. The Design Review includes considerations of the proposed hotel’s architecture, color pallet, parking, lighting, landscaping, pedestrian walkways, common areas, access, and utilities. Site contains 13.41-acres a vacant parcel of land previously being the old Middle School. See REVIEW page 6A
ects that could become reality in the future. One of the biggest challenges is funding the projects. The high-priority projects have an estimated price tag of $36.2 million, with all of the projects expected to cost more than $87 million. With ODOT, Lane County, the federal government and other sources providing some funding, the city of Florence would likely be responsible for half of the funding needs. After hearing the presentation, funding was one of the big concerns councilors voiced. Councilor Sally Wantz asked specifically about the funding. “Where are we going to get $18 million,” Wantz asked about the high-pri-
ority projects. “Where do we get that money?” Michael Duncan, who was representing the state of Oregon in the planning process, said there are state and federal sources available to help. “The very first step in securing that funding is getting it into a plan like this,” Duncan said. “Any grant application you fill out, the first question is whether the project is included in a plan.” City Manager Erin Reynolds said funding would be a mix of state and federal grants along with local sources. “That $87 million number is something to plan for, but it is not something that is funded right now,” Reynolds said. “This has tools you
way we can find it,” Ward said.. “Whatever makes sense.” While funding is still a question, the council also emphasized adopting the plan is just the start. “This is a 20-year plan. We can’t have everything at once. It’s going to take time,” Councilor Jo Beaudreaux said. “I do really appreciate all the time and energy and people who participated in this. I do think this is a really special thing we’ve been able to do.” Ward said he is excited to see some changes made. “I hope I live for at least another 10 years, because that will be the report card about how this actually turns out, and I hope it turns out
very well,” he said. The plan outlines the city’s transportation goals over the next two decades and will be a blueprint for this and future councils to use to prioritize available funding. After discussing the plan, councilors chose to wait before making a final decision. While the public hearing on the plan closed without public comment, the council did allow comments to be made electronically through Oct. 9. To learn more, visit https://www. ci.florence.or.us/planning/florence-transportation-system-plan-tsp-update-project The council will have a chance to vote on adopting the plan at its Oct. 16 meeting.
Artists, crafters hosting “Overabundance Art Fair” By BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media Anyone who has ever had a hobby knows that it can be easy to get carried away with supplies. Local artists, quilters and other hobbyists have decided to share the wealth by selling supplies that they no longer need. The Florence Regional Arts Alliance and Rhododendron Quilt Guild are uniting for the Overabundance Art Fair. This unique opportunity to support local artists and quilters will take place on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Florence Events Center at 715 Quince St.
The Florence Regional Arts Alliance and Rhododendron Quilt Guild are joining forces to host an Overabundance Art Fair on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Florence Events Center at 715 Quince St. Courtesy photos “Every artist and craft- out of that,” she said. The items on sale will er seems to have things that they no longer use,” range from unused supsaid Elaine Thornton, plies that never found an event chair with the their way into a project Florence Regional Arts to lightly used brushes Alliance. and other materials. “So far, I’ve got things “They’re still good, but they’re just no lon- like fabric, stained glass ger used. So, the over- supplies and jewelry abundance sale has come making supplies, as well
as pottery, paints and canvases. That’s just a few of the things people have already told me that they’ll be bringing,” Thornton said. Quilting enthusiasts will be delighted with the abundance of quilting fabric, sewing notions, and patterns on offer. The selection may
even include a sewing machine or two for those looking to upgrade their equipment or step into the world of quilting. Artists will find an array of supplies to bolster their studios. Overabundance Art Fair-goers can expect to find canvases, papers, See FAIR page 6A
Circles in the Sand returns to Florence for Eclipse Day The Siuslaw News
Nationally celebrated Circles in the Sand beach art returns to Florence on October 14 on the beach in front of Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center. “This is always an uplifting event at a great time of year to visit Florence’s beaches,” said Bettina Hannigan, president/ CEO of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. “People come from all over. It’s wildly artistic, spiritually uplifting for many, and incredibly unique among beach events anywhere in the country. And because it
from 8:05 a.m. to 10:38 a.m. with its maximum at 9:18 a.m. The moon will cover about 97 percent of the sun, revealing a spectacular ring of fire around its edges. A giant labyrinth will be carved in the sand beginning at 3 p.m. by expert sand artist Denny Dyke and his team. A public walkthrough of the labyrinth begins around 5 p.m. High tide is at 1:17 p.m., low tide will be at Nationally-renowned Circles in the Sand will 7:54 p.m., and sunset will return to Florence on Oct. 14, with the art in the be at 7:02 p.m., maksand drawn at the beach in front of Driftwood ing this window of time Shores Resort. Contributed photos a prime opportunity for is the same day as the an- to stay in Florence for the families and friends to nular eclipse, we think a whole weekend.” enjoy the wide swaths of lot of people might want The eclipse takes place beach for beachcombing,
INSIDE Obituaries — 2A Sports — 1B
can use, and we can discuss that in the future. There’s a lot more work to be done at the conclusion of the adoption of this plan that will involve you as council as well as the community.” Wants said she agreed, saying the city should make grants a priority. “I’m going to be a proponent of the city getting and hiring a grant writer to help get these funds,” Wantz said. “I think it’s something we need to consider to reduce the workload of staff and increase efficiency is having a professional grant writer.” Mayor Rob Ward said all sources of funding would be considered. “I’m sure we will be looking for money any
Opinion — 3A Classifieds — 6-7B
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Every purchase at St. Vinnie’s helps St. Vincent de Paul provide jobs, housing & services across Lane County!
2315 HWY. 101, FLORENCE • 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.
sandcastle making, kite flying, and walking south to the north jetty of the Siuslaw River or north to Baker Beach while creating lasting memories in Oregon’s Coastal Playground. “Each year this captivating beach art event celebrates creativity and the spiritual-nature connection set in the beauty of Florence’s Heceta Beach,” says Terry Haskins, director of sales and marketing at Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center, one of the event’s sponsors. “It has become an annual pilgrimage for the community and visiSee SAND page 6A
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