Offices, living space will occupy three-story structure going up in its place

ASHLAND — A building that housed a seminal nightclub for Southern Oregon’s popular musical culture has been torn down to make way for a three-story structure that will offer office and living space.

Foundation work should begin in a few days at 180 Lithia Way, said Evan Archerd of Archerd and Dressner, LLC. The old, one-story building housed Jazmin’s nightclub from 1977 until the early 1990’s. In a tribute to the club, the new structure will be known as the Jasmine Building.

Jazmin’s attracted nationally prominent musical artists to the area. Club owners Steve Sacks and David Zaslow brought the first jazz act to the Britt Music Festival in 1979.

"We had originally intend to save a couple of walls," said Archerd. "It turned out they were un-reinforced concrete."

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Each floor will have 3,000 square feet. Two condominiums will be on the third floor. Two local businesses looking for larger spaces will relocate to the first floor. The second floor is designed to house smaller offices of 200 to 600 square feet with a common reception area.

"We have basically almost the entire building pre-leased," said Archerd. "The typical small business in Ashland is a sole practitioner of some sort who sets up a small office either for themselves or with a partner."

Archerd hopes the new building will serve as an inspiration in another way.

"What we are trying to do is begin a process of creating a two- street downtown," said Archerd. "It will be kind of a landmark building when it’s done."

Development of Lithia Way as a second main street is recommended in a draft downtown plan.

Jerome White is architect for the building. Contractor John Fields will handle the construction. The completion date is set for March, with occupancy scheduled to begin in April. The condominiums will be sold. Sale prices have yet to be determined, Archerd said.

"It’s the death of culture," joked Sacks. "It’s not a historical building. The only loss that we have is the loss of live music. It seems to be less available than it has ever been (in) a club-style setting."

Charlie Byrd, Bill Monroe, Taj Mahal, Les McCann and John Lee Hooker were among artists who performed at Jazmin’s. Local jazz acts also played there.

Britt has become bigger and more expensive, but smaller, more intimate music settings have dwindled, says Sacks. Mojo Café, an effort to return to the nightclub setting just a half-block north of Jazmin’s former location, foundered nine months after it started in March 2001.

"I just don’t think people like to pay for live music," said Sacks. "They’ll pay 50 or 60 bucks to see someone from 250 yards away at Britt. Clubs have always faced that objection of getting people to pay a cover charge."

The old building was constructed in the late 1940s and first housed Hanby’s Market. It became Shinn’s Market in the 1960s. It was also home to the Boars Head tavern before Jazmin’s days, and later Gen Kai Japanese restaurant until 2002.

A one-night, Jazmin’s 25th anniversary reunion was held Dec. 7 after Gen Kai closed. Local jazz artists performed.

Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail tboom@mailtribune.com

Downtown Ashland retail space hard to find

There’s virtually no vacant retail space downtown, said Archerd, a building appraiser.

In contrast, an 11,000-square-foot, five-space retail and office development in the 1500 block of Siskiyou Boulevard has four vacancies and one business that has suspended operations.

Siskiyou Crossings has had only one tenant since it was completed in November 2001. Papa John’s Pizza opened in December 2001, but halted operations for the summer, according to a sign in the window.

Sidewalks and the roadway in front of the shop have been under construction throughout the summer as part of the boulevard redesign project. The shop is close to Southern Oregon University. "We hope to see you in the fall," the sign said.