Marketplace

`Livable' projects applauded

A downtown Corvallis renovation project was one of three local projects and organizations honored this weekend by Livable Oregon, the statewide downtown association.

The Toklat Building on Third Street, which includes Senor Sam's restaurant and Sunriver Coffee Co., was named the best development project in the state for ``excellence in real estate development focusing on downtown enhancement,'' said Livable Oregon spokeswoman Lynn Weigand.

The owners transformed two adjacent buildings - previously used mostly as warehouses - into nine storefronts. Improvements include glass storefronts, recessed entries, awnings, lighting and total interior renovation.

David Livingston and Gary Feuerstein of Endex Engineering Inc.; Marc Cooter and Betty Gill of Toklat Tack and Ranchwear; the city of Corvallis; and Scott Zimbrick of First Interstate Bank in Corvallis were recognized for their contributions to the project.

The ParkWise Parking Management Program in Albany was named outstanding special project. By enforcing the city's parking ordinances, the program has increased occupancy of employees' off-street lots from 12 to 95 percent, leaving more on-street parking for downtown customers, Weigand said.

The city of Albany was named Livable Oregon's outstanding public partner for its commitment to the vitality of downtown. The city created a study, called ``Town Center Plan,'' that combined concepts for traffic, parking and housing, along with mixed-use development, density and rezoning. The plan has inspired the sale of two major commercial buildings and construction of nine apartment units, Weigand said.

Helen Burns-Sharp, Albany's community development coordinator, was honored for her leadership in the plan.

State commends Good Sam

Good Samaritan Hospital was cited for its high-quality patient care, staff and facilities during a recent state evaluation as a Level III trauma hospital.

Oregon categorizes each hospital based on its capabilities for caring for severely injured patients. The survey evaluates the training and prompt availability of emergency staff, surgeons and support services, treatment equipment and facilities and other factors. Both of Oregon's Level I trauma hospitals are in Portland; the nearest Level II hospital is in Eugene.

Actually, surveyors wrote that Good Samaritan ``meets the resources and capability requirements of a Level II trauma facility.'' However, to become Level II, the hospital would have to add some 24-hour staff and a few other amenities that aren't cost-effective right now, said hospital spokeswoman Julie Manning.

Albany General Hospital and Lebanon Community Hospital also were recently recertified as Level III trauma hospitals. Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport was recertified as a Level IV trauma hospital.

Relief due displaced workers

About 40 Pacific Power workers in Oregon are eligible to apply for assistance and benefits under a North American Free Trade Agreement program, Pacific Power and the U.S. Department of Labor has announced.

The workers are eligible to apply for transitional adjustment assistance if they became totally or partially separated from employment on or after Oct. 16, 1994, and lost their jobs because of imports of electrical power from Mexico and Canada.

The transitional adjustment assistance program became effective Jan. 1, 1994, and covers workers laid off or forced to work part-time because of increased imports from Mexico or Canada or shifts in production to those countries.

The Labor Department found that imports of electrical power from Mexico and Canada have increased significantly, lowering sales, production and employment at Pacific Power.

Petitions are available from state employment service offices. Workers may receive a broad range of re-employment and retraining services, including career counseling, job placement assistance, job search and relocation allowances, income support during long-term training and support services such as child care and transportation.

Benefits are funded by the federal government and administered by the state Employment Department. For more information, contact any local state employment services office.

Send news releases to the Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 368, Corvallis, OR 97339.