Sunriver, OR

Earlier this month I attended the SilverStar Destinations LLC, meeting at Mavericks, regarding the controversial subject of the proposed revitalization of the Sunriver Village Mall. I was very impressed with Dave Leland, of Leland Consulting, as he conveyed the facts and offered his thoughts and valued expertise of how the Village should proceed towards the future and the break continued downward spiral that will continue if something major is not done now to save the Village.

I learned some very interesting facts and it allowed me to do some sole-searching of my own. Having been a resort guest of Sunriver since the late 70's and a full time resident in the mid 1990's I have many memories of Sunriver Resort. And many of these memories include the early phases of Sunriver when the Ranch Cabins at Circle 4 were on the outer edges of the development. I remember visits to the original Country Store for a Country Time Lemonade, shopping for my Mom's birthday present at the Variety Store and don't forget a trip by Goodies to get some Licorice Pastels and Green Apple Jelly Bellies before riding my bike "home". I understand that change is not always easy - but sometimes it is mandatory.

Here are the facts - The current mall first broke ground in 1974 and is in desperate need of renovation. The paint is peeling, concrete cracking and roofs are leaking. There have been reported mold problems and structural issues. The mall is not fully occupied by businesses, less than 80 percent, and has not been near capacity for some time. Wouldn't a new plan be in the best interest of everyone?

Have you walked with your friends who have come to visit you in Sunriver and had to explain that the Village is just not what it used to be? Where is the pulse - the heart of the Village? It appears that everyone is suffering. My family and I attend the annual events at the Village which are fine but it dares to asks the question - could and should there be more? Is the latest proposal by SilverStar Destinations LLC, just what the "doctor" ordered? Will this revised and scaled down "mixed-use" resort model be the best use of the planned "Main Street" spaces - containing commercial, residential and community spaces? Will this design be the revitalization that the Village at Sunriver Resort desparately needs?

Although, I may have been somewhat skeptical because I did not have all the facts, there is no longer any doubt. "The Time Is Right, The Time Is Now" see Village at Sunriver - while the competition continues to build and via for the same attention, and lets face it, the same dollars that Sunriver does, I do believe that the time is right and we do need to act now. In my opinion, this is the "shot" that the Village needs to survive - to be the vital organ that it needs to be for Sunriver Resort and its residents and guests. For information on the proposed SilverStar village plan please visit Citizens for Sunriver and for information for those that are opposed to the proposed revitalization please visit Save Sunriver Most are in agreement that this current measure will be passed by the voters, where it "failed" last time because it didn't reach the required 60 percent approval- even though 56 percent approved the sale of the property to SilverStar. The people of Sunriver are educating themselves. All seats were filled; there was standing room only in the back and out into and down the hallway.

Tomorrows meeting April 30th at 6:00 PM at the Great Hall should prove to be no different.

So, "give it your best shot" SilverStar!

Watch for my follow up post! I'll be keeping you in the BUZZZZZZZZ!

Central Oregon - Golf at Crosswater, Sunriver, OR

Crosswater Golf course is located only 15 miles south of Bend, OR and just minutes from Sunriver Resort and adjacent to Caldera Springs. Robert E. Cupp designed this course and boasts 18 holes of challenge play. The course features bent grass fairways and greens and amazing views of Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top and South Sister. The wildlife is abundant with deer, elk and other wildlife and careful care has been made to preservation of the wetlands. The course crosses the scenic Deschutes and Little Deschutes River seven times and is 7,683 in total playing yards. For a hole by hole tour of the course click here. www.sunriver-resort.com/crosswater-course.php This course is open to Crosswater members, guests of members and guests of Sunriver Resort. For information on Crosswater Memberships visit http://www.crosswater.com/ Come and play in Sunriver, a AAA Four-Diamond rated resort, for more information contact http://www.sunriver-resort.com/

The Jeld-Wen Traditions will be hosted by Crosswater August 11-17, 2008. Bernard Langer, one of the most successful players on the European tour has committed to play at this years event. This will be the second year of four that this event is played on this renowned course. Get into the action before the event at http://www.jeld-wentradition.com/ Previous hosts of the Jeld-Wen Traditions were The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club, in Aloha, OR and the Cochise Golf Course of the Golf Club at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ. The 2007 Jeld-Wen Traditions was won by Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe, his first major Senior PGA Tour win.

The Northwest Dodge Dealers Pacific Amateur Golf classic will be held at Crosswater September 27 - October 2, 2008. Registration is now open of this event for more information contact www.pacamgolf.com/2008registration

Since 1999 Crosswater has played host twelve major regional and national events including the NCAA Men's and Women's National Championships, the PGA Professional Championships and Shell's Wonderful World of Golf.

In addition to Crosswater, Caldera Springs (adjacent to Crosswater) opened a 9 hole Links and Golf Park designed by Robert E. Cupp in August 2007. In Sunriver there are two18 hole courses; the fabulous Woodands course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and The Meadows designed by John Fought cater to all playing abilities. Golf is only one of the many activities that make Central Oregon a popular destination in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Come and visit and choose to live the Central Oregon lifestyle.

It certainly has been an interesting week here in Sunriver. On Tuesday there was standing room only at Mavericks as Silver Star unveiled their new, and smaller, plans for the Sunriver Village Mall. Some changes they are proposing that are of special interest include: development of 375 condominiums rather than over 500; building the new grocery store on the west side of the mall area (this would allow for the new grocery store to be completed and occupied while not interrupting the service the Country Store provides; no parking garage will be built on the corner of Abbot and Beaver Drives, but will be situated elsewhere (site undetermined, but this was a major objection in the first plan due to the parking structure being the first thing visitors to Sunriver would encounter.

Beaver Drive will continue to be the main vehicle artery on the east side of the mall. On Wednesday, Silver Star and Leland Associates (a consulting firm Silver Star has hired) presented the new plans to the Deschutes County Commissioners at the County Building in Bend.

There again, the room was full of Sunriver residents and interested parties. The County Commissioners made it clear several times during the meeting that their job is to consider just the zone change, and not the specific plans Silver Star is proposing. The specific building plans would then be subject to Deschutes County and Sunriver Design Review codes and recommendations.

No public testimony or opinions were taken at either meeting. That is set to happen at the April 30 County Commissioner hearing. We expect that to be an interesting evening. We will keep you all posted on this very serious matter - not just for Sunriver residents, but much of south Deschutes County.

Spring is here, we can tell because the snow is melting, Mt. Bachelor is offering discounts and even some free skiing.  All the signs are here including more buyers, homes are going into escrow.  Do you know what you need to before buying your Sunriver Vacation Home?

Buyers in Sunriver should be aware of not only Oregon laws but the rules and regulations of Sunriver.  When you purchase a Sunriver home is it in compliance with the design review?  Knowing the rules and regulations can help, or simply asking for a design review inspection can save you a lot of frustration when you sell your Sunriver property. 

Sunriver Design Reviewis part of what makes Sunriver the resort community it is.  I am here to serve you for all your Sunrriver and Central Oregon Real Estate need.

Silverstar will have to look at other options for Village at Sunriver expansion and remodel. Although the majority of voters approved the sale of the 6 plus acres being sold to Silverstar the final tally was 300 votes shy of the 60% turn out that was needed to approve the sale. Silverstar already owns or has options for the 20 acres of the current mall. Many of the homeowners in Sunriver are disappointed, and many are rejoicing.

I have always said that change is one of the most difficult things for people to embrace, but it appears to me that Silverstar came pretty close to having the community support they needed. I have no idea what the next move for Silverstar will be, but I hope it is something to bring activity, beauty and support to this aging area of Sunriver.

Personally I would have liked to see a respected vote with enough people voting allow for a pass or fail. To loose an election by default of homeowners not voting is a sad statement to me. Do these people not care, did they not know what the issues were or did they simply forget to send in their ballots? No matter what the answer is, the fact is only 56% of the homeowners voted and no matter what the vote 60% were needed for approval of this project.

edited to explain further - the majority of the votes approved this sale - however law required 60% voter turn out to approve - so because only 56% voted - the ballot failed - not because of lack of yes vote but because of the lack of 300 votes - if 300 more people had voted the land sale would have been approved.

It was brought to my attention that the first report of the number of votes was misunderstood or incorrectly reported - there was a large enough turn out for an approval if 300 more had voted in favor of the sale it would have passed. The vote required a 60% in favor and although the owners in favor out numbered those opposed they did not meet the 60% requirement. Oregon does have voting guidelines that require a percentage of votes, my apology is extended to any one I may of offended.

Other articles on this subject

KTVZ - Channel 21 - Your Central Oregon News Source

Oregonian

KBND News Talk 1110

SaveSunriver.org

strike out and itlaics were added on 2/26/08 when it was brought to my attention that this was incorrect - thank you Luis Bayol