PUTTING OUT THE WELCOME MAT
Springfield, Oregon – A group of Springfield businesses are working to put a welcome mat at the community’s front door.

The vacant southwest corner of Gateway Street and Beltline Road is the focus of the effort being led by Gateway Owners for Positive Change. A Eugene-based landscape architect firm has already donated its time toward developing the initial concept for some landscaping and a monument at the currently unattractive vacant lot.

The budget for the project has been pegged at about $40,000, but GOPC member Patrick McShane says that money – and the funds to maintain the area in the future – won’t come from the city’s coffers, or the pockets of the general public. “We’ve already had positive response from the city and ODOT on this plan,” he says. “We are focused on getting the financial support for the concept from businesses. Gateway-area companies would benefit the most from having that area be as attractive and inviting to customers as possible,” says McShane. “Right now, it may look to visitors that they are in a ‘bad part of town’. We want them to know that Springfield is friendly, and we are proud of our city.”

The previous owner of the lot had been required to conduct an environmental assessment of the site – because it used to house a gas station – but that was never done. The vacant lot was purchased and cleared by ODOT about a year ago, and ODOT is planning to use it as an equipment staging area for its upcoming road changes around August 2005.

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InnSight Hotel Management Group is based in Springfield, Oregon. Current properties under InnSight management include:
• Holiday Inn Express (InterContinental Hotels Group) in Springfield, Oregon
• Courtyard by Marriott in Springfield, Oregon
• Comfort Suites (Choice Hotels International) in Springfield, Oregon
• Residence Inn by Marriott in Eugene, Oregon
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Central Point, Oregon
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Hillsboro, Oregon
• Opening in March 2005 – Courtyard by Marriott Medford Airport, Oregon