Biz Beat 7-2-2015

The former Musgrove Family Mortuary property on 11th on Olive downtown is looking bleak this week after heavy equipment came in and chewed up all the big trees but one along the alley. The site is being leveled for a new Home2 Suites by Hilton. What will happen to the old cinder block building next door that currently houses a dog grooming and do-it-yourself dog laundry? We asked around and it appears it won’t be sold and demolished anytime soon. So keep those dirty, shaggy doggies coming. 

Historic preservation projects involving businesses, residences and public buildings are active in Eugene and Springfield this summer. In Eugene, one of the oldest still-standing buildings in Oregon is the Clerk’s Building on the south side of the Lane County Historical Museum at the Fairgrounds. The building was constructed by pioneer Prior Blair in 1853 at 10th and Willamette to house the Lane County clerk and provide space for public meetings and trials, and has been moved four times. A grant from the state’s Preserving Oregon program will help repair and restore the building, according to Heather Kliever of the Lane County Historical Society. 

In Springfield, new attention is being given to the city’s Historic Overlay zoning maps and to structures within the urban growth boundary built before 1915 for potential inclusion into the overlay. City planners have surveyed 247 addresses within the overlay and are asking owners with potentially historic properties to work with the Springfield Historic Commission on “how you can go about restoring your property in a manner that is sensitive to historic character,” says Tim Hilton, chair of the SHC. This is the first citywide survey since 1980 and “record-keeping has been spotty,” Hilton says. A display of maps and old photos can be found beginning at the Second Friday Art Walk July 10 at the free Springfield Museum, 590 Main St. Applications to join the SHC board can be found at Springfield City Hall.

Part of the unique brick Mountain States Power plant still stands at 7th and Millrace.
 
The elaborate Southern Pacific Springfield Depot was built in 1891 on South 7th Street, purchased by the city, moved to 110 S. A St. and restored. It now houses the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
 

More than 80 artists from eight states will show their work at the Art and the Vineyard Festival, which begins Friday, July 3, and continues through Sunday, July 5, at Alton Baker Park. Maude Kerns Art Center is organizing the festival. The Artists’ Marketplace will showcase art in a wide variety of media and styles, including acrylic and oil paintings, watercolors, handcrafted wood furniture, hand-built and thrown ceramics, silver and gemstone jewelry, custom blown glass, hand-crocheted purses, designer hats, nature photography, illustration and book art, steel sculpture and Japanese shibori silk scarves.

Lane County Farmers Market is doing something different this summer, offering tours of the market on the first and third Saturdays of the month to help visitors get the most out of their experience. The next tour is on Saturday, July 4, and participants will be offered samples of products from half a dozen market vendors while learning about the vendors’ farms and practices. Sponsored by Friends of the Farmers Market. RSVP by calling 346-1216. 

Fox Hollow Antiques in Creswell will have its grand opening on Saturday, the Fourth of July. Proprietor Beau Wright says the new business will offer antiques along with high-quality new and used furniture, home décor, garden and patio items, jewelry and gifts. The shop is located at 104 S. Main St. and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Call 912-2191. The opening joins numerous other events in Creswell on the Fourth of July.

A-Lamp Design is a recent start-up business in the Eugene area. “Things are picking up speed,” says owner Erol Chandler. “I recently received a large order from Rejuvenation in Portland, as well as for their other stores across the Northwest.” Chandler is a former middle school science teacher who is now a woodworker. He has been making custom furniture but is now expanding into unique, hand-built lamps made from locally sourced wood and parts. Chandler has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund his new venture. Find it at wkly.ws/21g.

The nonprofit Serenity Lane is soliciting nominations from the community to honor people who have championed recovery from addictions. Deadline is Aug. 1; categories and the nomination form are at serenitylane.org/csa.