MEDFORD, Ore. (Oct. 8, 2026) — Plans for a new commercial town center at the northeast corner of Hillcrest Road and North Foothill Road are moving forward for review by the City of Medford.
The proposed Hillcrest District Town Center would cover about 44 acres at 3285 Hillcrest Road and include 21 lots, new streets, sidewalks, a public plaza and a multi-use trail for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The project is being proposed by Cogswell Limited Partnership and is part of the larger planned Hillcrest District.
Town plaza planned
One of the key features of the proposal is a roughly 1.1-acre town plaza that would serve as a central gathering place for the future development.
The plaza is planned along Spring Street and would eventually be surrounded by shops, restaurants and offices. Shared parking areas are also planned nearby.
The plaza and parking areas would be reviewed in greater detail as future commercial projects are proposed.
New streets and walking paths
The development would create several new streets and extend existing roads.
Spring Street and Judson Street would be extended, while new streets called Bowne Street, Cogswell Drive, Fiske Lane and Reginald Street are also planned.
Bemis Parkway would be extended north from Hillcrest Road and connect with Spring Street.
Plans also call for a landscaped area along Bemis Parkway known as “Orchard Row.” The area would include a multi-use path for people walking and riding bicycles.
Spring Street would feature a wider sidewalk than is typically required, with space for trees, outdoor seating and other features intended to create a more traditional town-center atmosphere.
Future housing and development
The current proposal is primarily about dividing the property into lots and creating the streets and other infrastructure needed for future development. It does not include specific businesses or buildings at this time.
One approximately 8.7-acre lot could eventually be used for multifamily or senior housing.
A separate proposal is expected to be submitted for a potential project called “Affinity at Medford,” which would be developed by Inland Group.
The property is currently mostly vacant and has been used for agricultural purposes since the early 1900s.
Several historic structures remain along Hillcrest Road, including a barn and packinghouse, along with Roxy Ann Winery and two residences.
Two additional areas of the property would remain as reserve acreage for future development.
Traffic, water and sewer
The city will evaluate traffic and utility needs as future businesses and other developments are proposed.
The application states that the current subdivision would not require major off-site transportation improvements because those improvements would be tied to future buildings and businesses and the amount of traffic they generate.
The property is already served by city sewer and Medford Water.
Future development would have to demonstrate that adequate sewer and other utility capacity is available for the proposed uses.
Stormwater facilities are also planned as part of the project.
Part of a larger Hillcrest District
The proposed town center is part of a larger planned development area in northeast Medford.
A 53-acre property to the east includes residential areas and Lazy Creek. A separate residential project, Comice Place — Phase 1, has already been approved for 51 homes east of Lazy Creek.
Across Hillcrest Road to the south are the Hillcrest Business Park and East Orchard Commons, which include medical and business offices, a bank, coffee shop and other businesses.
The developers say the proposed town center follows the city’s plans for the larger Hillcrest District, including its planned streets, open spaces and pedestrian connections.
City review scheduled
The city’s Land Development Committee is scheduled to consider the proposal Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting is scheduled to be held via Zoom.
The committee’s review is part of the city’s land-use process, and approval is not yet final.
If approved, the developer would be required to complete the planned road improvements, Orchard Row trail and other infrastructure and provide additional traffic and sewer information as individual lots are developed.
The proposal would establish the framework for the future Hillcrest Town Center, while individual businesses, housing projects and buildings would be considered through separate applications.
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
