September 29, 2026 10:50 a.m.
www.nrtoday.com.is reporting:
In a Monday meeting, the Roseburg City Council authorized a contract for updates to the Stewart Park Master Plan and moved to apply for a $1 million infrastructure grant on behalf of Umpqua Community College.
The council unanimously passed a motion to enter a contract with Cameron McCarthy, an Oregon-based planning firm, for $279,370 to develop the first updates to the Stewart Park Master Plan since it was last adopted over 25 years ago.
According to the council’s agenda, McCarthy will evaluate the park’s current condition, process community engagement, prepare cost estimates and create a comprehensive plan to guide park and riverway improvements for the next 20 years.
Roseburg Public Works Director Ryan Herinckx said Cameron McCarthy would also set up at least three open houses, as well as other public meetings, where community members can provide responses. McCarthy will also reach out to school districts for feedback regarding recreational needs for sports programs.
The council first examined McCarthy’s bid for the contract in a September 14th meeting, rejecting it for revisions to include more riverfront area than the initial proposed plan included. The current plan includes Stewart Park, Fir Grove Park, Riverfront Park, Gaddis Park and portions of the Umpqua Greenway, which connects Gaddis Park to the downtown area.
Funding for the project includes over $164,000 of the city’s 2026-27 Park Improvement Fund as well as a $125,000 letter of commitment from the Ford Family Foundation.
The council also passed a motion to apply for a $1 million grant from the Business Oregon Regional Infrastructure Fund to support Umpqua Community College (UCC) housing projects.
The funding would go towards an in-development housing project at 704 SE Cass Avenue a property formerly used as a post office in downtown Roseburg. According to UCC President Rachel Pokrandt, the space would include 60-65 beds and family-style housing accommodations.
Grant funding will go towards infrastructural costs associated with developing the housing space. As UCC is not an eligible applicant for the funding, the City of Roseburg is applying on behalf of the college.
Complete details at www.nrtoday.com.