United Strategies & Consulting, a government affairs and public policy firm, headed by business partners Carrie Reed and Greg Lemhouse, recently purchased the building at 218 West Sixth Street, next to the Holly Theatre.
The 115-year-old National Historic Register building, designed by renowned architect Frank Clark, has long been a recognizable part of Downtown Medford’s character.
The Rogue River Valley University Club, active in the region since 1910, closed its doors at the end of July. Founded by some of the valley’s earliest leaders in the timber, orchard, banking and manufacturing industries, the club once served as a hub for the region’s business and civic community. At its peak during the 1980s and 1990s, membership topped 200. Over the years, it hosted charitable events, political forums, guest lectures, and other community gatherings and was a popular lunch spot for members.
Reed and Lemhouse say the building’s legacy as a gathering place for local leaders is perfectly aligned with their firm’s mission. “What the University Club was about, bringing community leaders together to tackle big challenges, is what we do as well in our business, so we feel like there’s a lot of synergy,” said Lemhouse.
United Strategies & Consulting plans to have renovations completed and move into the building within 90 days. Sid’s Gourmet Smoke n Grill will continue to operate in the downstairs restaurant space.
“We look forward to bringing new energy to Downtown Medford and to continuing the work of helping our clients and communities tackle their biggest challenges,” said Reed.