City Council Directs Staff to Find Consultant for Washington Campus Property in NW GP

The Grants Pass City Council has directed staff to start the process of hiring a consultant to help guide it in next steps for the Washington Campus property. During its Monday workshop, the Council discussed what should be done with the roughly 8-acre property off NW Midland Avenue and Washington Boulevard that the City of Grants Pass purchased last year for $2 million. City Manager Aaron Cubic called it the "North Star Project" and explained the property is zoned Industrial, R-4, R-1-6 and General Commercial, which provides numerous potential uses and possibilities. He said a 9-month process to create an Opportunity Plan for the property could reveal some exciting opportunities. Cubic said public dollars are being used to incentivize private development. City Council members agreed that a consultant should help guide the process and city staff was directed to draft a Request for Proposal to help find the right consultant. In other business, the City Council decided to pause its discussion on reallocating $5 million in Urban Renewal Agency funding for a public swimming pool until after it receives presentations on Caveman Pool and the Caretaker's Cottage at Riverside Park. Some of the money could be redirected to those projects as well as providing infrastructure to the Spalding Industrial Park. ...Read more

2025 Opening of Caveman Pool Delayed Until Friday Due to Maintenance Issues

The City of Grants Pass has announced the opening of Caveman Pool has been delayed until Friday. Recent maintenance issues are causing a delay in the scheduled opening of Caveman Pool, which has been part of the community for more than 50 years. The municipal swimming pool is operated by the Grants Pass Family YMCA under contract with the City of Grants Pass. The pool is available for private parties when not scheduled for other activities. It will be closed on July 4th. Daily admission fees are free for kids 4 & under with a paid adult. The price for youth 5 to 17 is $5, $6.50 for adults 18 & over, and $12 for a family of four. Season passes can be purchased at the YMCA -- $75 for youth, $125 for adults and $175 for family which includes up to four members of the same household. It's $40 for each additional family member. Children under the age of 10 must have a parent or guardian present. All non-swimmers are required to have a parent or guardian in the water with them at all times. There are also swimming lessons and family movie nights on the Caveman Pool summer schedule. For more information, please visit "grantspassymca.org." ...Read more

GP Library Branch to Unveil New BearFest Bear at Special Event on Wednesday

Josephine Community Library invites citizens to a special celebration this week as it unveils a brand new BearFest bear, generously sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank. The public event will take place on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at the Grants Pass library branch located at 200 NW C Street. In partnership with the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with the Chamber Ambassadors followed by a meet-and-greet with BearFest artist Kel Letvenchuck at 1 p.m.. The new bear named "Beary Tales" is a heartwarming addition to the beloved BearFest collection. Designed by Letvenchuck, the sculpture features two baby bears reading books together, symbolizing the joy of storytime and the importance of early literacy and lifelong reading. The community is encouraged to attend this free event, learn more about BearFest and help celebrate the new addition to the Grants Pass library grounds. ...Read more