We know you have questions; we want to answer them.
We want to provide answers about Ballot Measure 15-238 and the Creekside Quarter vision. This section outlines how voting ‘yes’ will strengthen our community. If you have more questions, please reach out to us—we’re here to help!
No, Medford resident taxes will NOT go up. Ballot Measure 15-238 is not a property, utility, or sales tax. It is a fee that visitors pay when they stay overnight in Medford. This measure allows for an increase of up to 2% in the current fee that visitors pay for overnight stays in Medford, raising the maximum fee from 11% to a maximum of 13%. If Measure 15-238 is passed, the TLT increase will only become effective once the private/public partnership is secured.
A Yes on Measure 15-238 is the first step to accomplishing the Creekside Quarter vision! It will allow the City of Medford to increase the current fee that is collected from visitors who stay overnight in hotels, motels, VRBOs, and Airbnbs. The revenue generated will be invested into a conference center within the Creekside Quarter development project, boosting the local economy without placing any additional tax burden on residents. It is important to note that this measure is not property, utility, or sales tax. This measure allows for an increase of up to 2% in the current fee that visitors pay for overnight stays in Medford, raising the maximum fee from 11% to a maximum of 13%. If Measure 15-238 is passed, the TLT increase will only become effective once the private/public partnership is secured.
Creekside Quarter is a transformative redevelopment project aimed at revitalizing an underused area of Medford, specifically around Hawthorne Park. It encompasses a comprehensive vision that includes conference and events center, baseball stadium, retail spaces, hotel accommodations, and community gathering areas. This initiative is designed to enhance the local economy, support small businesses, and create a vibrant district that serves both residents and visitors, establishing Medford as a regional hub for community events and tourism.
Creekside Quarter is a public/private development project. In fact, nearly 90% of financing for this initiative will come from private investments, which underscores the City’s commitment to fostering a collaborative approach to enhancing our community. This strategy has proven successful in previous projects, such as the development of Lithia Commons, One West Main, and the Element Hotel. By leveraging private investments, the City reduces the financial burden on taxpayers while ensuring that the benefits of the Creekside Quarter project are maximized for everyone involved. Another portion of the funding will come from Measure 15-238, which is a 2% increase to the fee visitors pay when staying overnight in Medford.
Yes, the city has successfully implemented similar strategies in the past. Projects like Lithia Commons, One West Main, and the Element Hotel have all contributed to making Medford a more attractive destination while bolstering the local economy. These initiatives have demonstrated that leveraging private investments can alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers and maximize the benefits for the community. By attracting private capital, the city has been able to develop state-of-the-art facilities, draw top-tier events, and create vibrant spaces that appeal to visitors throughout the year. It is part of a broader strategy to enhance the local economy while ensuring that residents aren’t subjected to additional tax burdens.
The Creekside Quarter vision brings exciting new opportunities for Medford with a modern conference center and baseball stadium, while still ensuring that portions of Hawthorne Park remain as welcoming green space. These revitalized areas will provide places for families to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors, preserving the spirit of the park as a community treasure even as it grows into something more vibrant and dynamic.
Transient Lodging Tax, otherwise referred to as TLT, is a fee that is charged on visitors staying overnight in Medford. These dollars are reinvested into the community to promote more tourism and visitors coming to the region. Importantly, TLT is not a local property, sales, or utility taxes for residents. ensuring that local homeowners and businesses do not bear any additional burden. Ballot measure 15-238 is an initiative that proposes a small tax increase of 2% to the current tax on overnight stays paid by visitors to Medford.
Creekside Quarter will be in a prime area of downtown Medford, such as Hawthorne Park and across to the Inn at the Commons. It will be situated conveniently across from the Village at Medford Center, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors. This vibrant location will also be close to Pear Blossom Park, providing a perfect blend of urban living and green space. The strategic location is designed to facilitate connectivity to other key areas in the city.
The Emeralds have expressed interest in moving to Medford, saying, “We’re moving to Medford because this community lives and breathes baseball. Our goal is to create a true gathering place for families, support local businesses, and create memories for generations. This move is about growing the sport, sparking new traditions, and making an impact far beyond the ballpark.” The proposed baseball stadium would host the Emeralds, a minor-league baseball team affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, for about 66 home games each year. The stadium will also be a flexible venue for concerts, open-air fairs, community markets, as well as youth and adult sporting activities, tournaments and leagues. Overall, the baseball stadium aims to boost economic growth through tourism and events while creating a central space for community fun and connection.
The Creekside Quarter vision has the potential to breathe new life into downtown Medford by creating a vibrant destination that blends recreation, business, and community gathering spaces. While a full economic analysis of the entire project has not yet been conducted, an independent feasibility study of just one key piece—the proposed conference center and hotel—projects an estimated $1.69 billion in economic impact, $67.6 million in developer-funded hotel and property taxes for the City of Medford over the next 30 years, and $752 million in earnings for local workers. These findings demonstrate the extraordinary potential even a single component of Creekside Quarter can have in strengthening the economy, supporting local businesses, and generating good-paying jobs. By extending that impact across the full vision, Creekside Quarter would revitalize downtown into a thriving hub that attracts visitors, sparks investment, and enhances the sense of community for generations to come.
The need for sufficient parking is already being considered within the Creekside Quarter project, as all developments are required to include adequate parking.
The potential arrival of the Emeralds in Medford is seen as a positive development for the local baseball scene. The general sentiment is one of collaboration rather than competition, as many local baseball enthusiasts believe that the presence of more teams will enhance the overall baseball atmosphere and benefit everyone involved. This reflects a community spirit that supports the growth and diversity of local sports.
According to the City of Medford, the Creekside Quarter project is a long-range redevelopment vision with a current estimated cost of approximately $500 million. As for the timeline, it hinges on the outcome of the vote on November 4th regarding ballot measure 15-238, which is essential for progression.
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