Siletz.Net

Keizer to weigh sign design for tower
City will consider logo tonight that may be at odds with tribes
Nov 2, 2009

By Jillian Daley
Statesman Journal

The Keizer City Council could decide tonight at its meeting whether to approve a design for the Chemawa Station water tower that may include the city's logo but not those of local tribes.

The Confederated tribes of the Siletz and Grand Ronde own the land near Interstate 5 where the tower stands, but the city is leasing the land for the structure.

A city staff report on the Keizer City Council agenda recommends: "Council adopt a simple 'Welcome to Keizer' in a block Helvetica-bold-style font without any additional embellishment, and forward that design to the tribes for their comments."

The water tower's paint job has been under discussion for about two years. In July, the tribes floated their own potential design; the Chinook Winds Casino marketing team created a logo that incorporates images from the Siletz's salmon logo and Grand Ronde's Spirit Mountain logo — as well as two irises, Keizer's flower.

That proposed design says "Welcome to Keizer" as well as "Chemawa Station," a reference to the development planned for the land around the 100-foot-tall water tower.

The logo was presented in late July to Keizer officials, who offered suggestions such as making "Welcome to Keizer" larger, said City Manager Chris Eppley.

The city is leasing three acres for the 500,000-gallon water tower on the 20-acre site slated for Chemawa Station, a development that could include office space, retail stores, a fast food restaurant, a sit-down restaurant and a gas station with a quick-serve eatery.

Also at today's City Council meeting:

-Two Keizer police officers will take the oath of office: Arsen Avetisyan and Jason Remmy.

-A public hearing will be held on a text amendment aimed at clarifying the section of the code that details public-facilities improvements required for new developments.

-Council will decide what action to take in response to residents of Emerald Pointe Retirement Community, at 1125 McGee Court NE.

Emerald residents are concerned about crossing River Road to the bus stop and want a crosswalk installed or a bus to pick them up on their side of the road.

jdaley@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6714