Newberg Graphic Online

Fence project gets the go-ahead for construction

Downtown development — George Fox department to assist with removal, replacement

• By: David Sale  
• Published: 9/4/2009 3:25:15 PM

File photo
The chain link fence that now skirts Portland Road on the north side of the fill near Hoover Park will be replaced with a wrought iron model in a project that teams the city of Newberg with George Fox University. GFU plant services department will take down the existing fence.

A project of the Newberg Downtown Revitalization Committee is one large step closer to fruition with a commitment from George Fox University to assist with the replacement of fencing along a short stretch of Portland Road.

The stretch of chain-link fence, which runs along the north side of Hess Creek canyon across from Hoover Park, will be replaced this fall with wrought iron to improve the appearance of the entrance to downtown.

“We’re shooting for a November construction date,” said Rob Felton, director of public relations at GFU. He confirmed that GFU Plant Services will remove the existing fencing and posts for reuse elsewhere on campus.

Progress on the fence project had been delayed by an attempt to use the existing posts, which are not equally spaced.

Together with a change in elevation along the length of the fence, organizers were forced to scrap plans for a scalloped-edge fence in favor of traditional, picket-fence style panels.

“It’s a design that’s within the budget and works for us,” said David Beam, economic development director for the city. “We need to get a couple more bids to be sure we’re competitive, but there’s a good offer on the table from a Fencemaster dealership in Dundee.”

Once the old fence is removed, Beam added, the NDRC will recruit volunteers from local service groups to assist with installation of the new one.

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