Local property magnate Hugh White died on Saturday, Aug.26, he was age 79. White is survived by his wife Elizabeth, and daughter Sarah Laudig Robert.
A sometimes controversial figure, White had amassed considerable real estate holdings in downtown Corvallis, and his reputation among commercial and residential tenants varied widely, both favorably and unfavorably.
We at The Advocate leased space from White for about five years, and saw all the sides of him that everyone talks about, including his famously mercurial temper, which in our experience, was sometimes followed by simply letting bygones be bygones. He didn’t seem to be someone that held grudges.
In our own instance, White made available a rare unrenovated downtown industrial space on a temporary basis for almost no money for a number of years. He would eventually go on to develop the space for lease at market rates, but for awhile at least, we had the kind of arrangement that allowed us to showcase artists that wouldn’t have otherwise been platformed locally.
In 2014 we profiled White and his wife Elizabeth as champions of local startups.
There will be a “Celebration of Hugh” from 4 to 6:30 pm, Monday, Sept. 18 at the Corvallis Courtyard by Marriott, 400 SW 1st Street. People are invited to drop in and share a memory.
Free Pantry, City Officials Compromise: Roadside Moon says they’ve reached a compromise with City officials, and will start efforts to raise the $4,000 they estimate it will take to comply with the agreement.
Reminder, What Roadside Moon Does: Offering free food, clothes and other items to community members in need, the pantry was organized by Amy Ruth Crevola – she runs the effort from a Northwest Corvallis home she owns and lives in. The goods had been placed on tables and shelves in Crevola’s driveway, and folks were welcome to take whatever they’d like 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Crevola’s NW Sycamore Ave. home is located between 9th and Highland, and is surrounded by other single-family residences. The neighborhood is a mix of low-income apartments and modest single-family homes that have increasingly been fixed-up over the last few years.
Four neighbors filed complaints with the city concerning the operation, and in a June 2 letter to Crevola, the city advised her she would need to bring Roadside Moon into compliance with the usual codes for a residential neighborhood in the city, or potentially face fines.
The Compromise: Crevola has posted to Roadside Moon’s social media, “We are moving forward with the City of Corvallis so our Free Pantry can stay open. The city requires us to modify and enclose the carport to continue as a home-based business.” According to Roadside Moon, a retired architect has volunteered to help with design, and the drawings and such for city permitting.
The post also says contributions can be made through the Open Collective Foundation, and that Common Fields is planning a live music fundraiser for Sept. 27.
Corvallis Community Development Director Paul Bilotta says officials are still receiving complaints from the neighbors, but he also said staffers have met with Crevola, and they believe she will come into compliance within a reasonable period of time.
Temporary Trail Blockage: Trail access from Goldfinch into Mac Forest and Chip Ross has been blocked while the land is being prepared for future homesites, but developer Jim Boeder says he anticipates the access should reopen by late summer of 2024, if not earlier.
When Boeder first sought approval for the project, neighborhood groups objected that access points at both Goldfinch and the end of 29th would be permanently closed. At the time, Boeder said, and the City confirmed, that once the plan was completed, those access points would be open and available to the public.
Currently, the Parks & Rec trails from the end of 29th to the Quercus trail and Chip Ross remain open.
And Now, We’ll Editorialize a Little: Would we have loved it if Corvallis Parks & Rec would have updated their trails at the end of 29th to be a little more all-weather friendly? Well, yes, we would have.
We’ll admit, the hikers on our staff couldn’t care less that these trails essentially become muddied gullies during a good downpour, and some of us actually relish such things. However, our runners aren’t wearing hiking boots for a winter’s run, and they’re far less amused.
Thanks Corvallis Parks & Rec, we know you’ll get right on this one.
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