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!
written by Amy Campbell, Broker with RE/MAX Sunset Realty
Watch for my follow up post! I’ll be keeping you in the BUZZZZZZZZ!
