Springfield City Council Encourages’ Economic Development and Affordable Housing
By: Elizabeth Frazier
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Springfield City ChamberPhoto: Elizabeth Frazier |
Springfield City Council--Monday,
October 24th. Addressed
resource and development issue's by reaching out to the historical commission
--Tim Hilton, Bruce Burg and Kari Barbara. City Mayor and Council reviewed the
value of historical homes and lands (excluding the Washburn District) as well
as Springfield's historical timber town land assets. Timber rich historical
value could help rejuvenate Springfield’s economy. The City Council reviewed
the funds available to start renovations and found they would like to
coordinate staff further to form community partnerships and funding
allocations.
Hilton presented several properties
found dating back to before 1915 to complete Springfield’s historic tax-lot map. He also said that "there could be new projects coming up, to date
Springfield’s lumber heritage back into the 1850’s but that they would need new
funding in order to proceed."
Mayor Christine Lundberg said that
“these surveys are revealing useful information for future economic
developments’ in Springfield." I asked Mayor Lundberg if Springfield could benefit from being a first at becoming a thriving timber industry home? Mayor Lundberg said, "the
Industry now, is receiving a boost of opportunity from another first for
Oregon. A first certification to produce
Cross Laminated Timber." She said this
opportunity will “encourage new and environmentally sound forest management
practices, further forest friendly tree planting management that will reduce
forest fires and in turn free up funds for Springfield and Lane County.”
The Mayor also said that "CLT will
create a unique opportunity for Springfield to be a leader in the green
revolution with wood products." She said, “It can lower oxygen reductions to our
atmosphere caused by cement and Cross Laminated Timber is very strong
and even a bit flexible so it doesn’t crack and break like cement and emits no greenhouse gas." "It is used for bridge building and other areas of general county
construction projects.” She said "the product uses
a formula to reduce greenhouse gasses eminent from cement and automobiles by an
equivalent of taking a large percentage; around 50% of automobiles off the
streets, divided by the areas’ per capita.” Mayor Lundberg also mentioned that
“being the first certified U.S. manufacturer of Cross Laminated Timber could
once again make Springfield a thriving leader in the Timber Industry and continue the
legacy.”
The Mayor also revealed that “more
land banking opportunities would come from the historical survey that
would help create affordable housing.