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Building picking up in Mac

Business | Thu, 11/19/2009 - 8:21 am | Read 1525 | Commented 3 | Emailed 2
Tags: McMinnville

The McMinnville Planning Department has issued a permit allowing the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum to begin pouring the concrete foundation for a new water park it plans to build on its Highway 18 campus.

The museum plans to build the water park as a regional tourist attraction, and to follow up by erecting an adjacent lodge.

Building remains sluggish in the county, with just 11 permits issued for new single-family residences since July. However, the October report, just released this week, also lists permits issued to developer Alan Ruden for four multifamily units, and to other parties for three new single-family residences, a new office building on Southwest Agee Street and a new industrial shop on Northeast Rivergate Street.

The museum presented its expansion plans to the city last spring. In May, voters approved its annexation, a necessary precursor.

In July, the museum flew a massive 747 into the McMinnville Airport and taxied it across the highway to a site in front of one of its main exhibit halls. The jumbo jet is destined for placement on the roof of the 60,000-square-foot water park.

Evergreen plans to build the water park first, then start work on the 90,000-square-foot lodge.

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Comments (3)

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Sat, 11/21/2009 - 8:01pm - Posted by: MsTeresa

not only that but it's going to give our kids something to do besides get high down at lower city,,that's cool. only one thing concerns me though and that's putting that
massive 747 on top of the roof..hope the builders make that roof extra strong *_*

Sat, 11/21/2009 - 3:42pm - Posted by: oregonatve72

"Sat, 11/21/2009 - 10:05am - Posted by: OSCIt seems like the city of McMinnville is going to allow Del Smith to do anything he wants. Is this to going to be tax exempt too?
He is taking the citizens of Mac and Yamhill County for a ride because of the property tax exempt status of the museums and especially the theater."

While not a fan of Smith, at least we are getting some desperately needed construction jobs, of which jobs will be taxed. I believe all museums are tax exempt, therefore as the theater is part of the museum, would be exempt as well. Though the several times I have gone to the theater, there was about five people total in attendance. I can not imagine the theater that bothers you so much, is generating large amounts of revenue, and according to you, missed taxes. Do you want churches to pay taxes as well? Its a museum, in our town, which generates tourism, which in turn generates taxes. Go after D. Smith another way.

Sat, 11/21/2009 - 11:05am - Posted by: OSC

It seems like the city of McMinnville is going to allow Del Smith to do anything he wants. Is this to going to be tax exempt too?
He is taking the citizens of Mac and Yamhill County for a ride because of the property tax exempt status of the museums and especially the theater.