The Medford City Council is actively seeking feedback from the community on a range of design alternatives for Main Street in downtown Medford. Residents have the opportunity to voice their opinions either by attending an upcoming Open House or by filling out an online survey.
The in-person Open House will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Oakdale Middle School's Library/Media Center (Room 117), located at 815 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. For those who cannot make it in person, an online survey will be available up until Nov. 30, where they can rank the potential alternatives that were selected by the Council during a July study session. Details about these layout options can be found on the City of Medford's official website.
Medford City Council's call to action stems from a restriping initiative carried out in October 2023, aimed at enhancing bicycle access. Subsequent to mixed reviews from the community late in 2024, City staff were dispatched to consider additional configurations. In an update reported by the City of Medford's official announcement, by March 2025, the Council had examined a multitude of alternatives leading to the identification of four viable design choices in a July 2025 study session:
These options include reverting Main Street to its former layout, maintaining the current arrangement, implementing a standard bike lane, and a design that features two-way travel with bike lanes. The original project was not a light financial undertaking, costing approximately $515,000, over 90% of which was covered through a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
All public input gathered via the Open House and online survey will be compiled and presented to the Council. These insights will shape the imminent final decision regarding the future of Main Street. The decision-making process is slated to reach its conclusion with results being shared at the Dec. 10 Council meeting and the final verdict expected in early 2026, as outlined in the announcement.
