11/15/1982 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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, ~ Councilor Wooten asked when the Downtown Commission would take on the mall management activity. Mr. McCoy said a series of meetings will be held to discuss that issue. e Ms. Stewart said one of the timing issues facing the Downtown Commission is that the commission needs to clarify the marketing strategy of downtown. Their contract and relationship with the Eugene Downtown Association is tied to that marketing strategy. It is impossible to define marketing strategies and to contract with the Eugene Downtown Association without a budget. The Downtown Commission will begin a marketing strategy and set aside a sum of money for marketing and promotion and then define their relationship with the Eugene Downtown Association and mall manager so that it ties into the budget. Mr. McCoy said, the marketing strategy will be examined and one will be developed which tries to meet all the goals of the downtown. Councilor Hamel said no effort had been made in the past to occupy vacancies in the downtown. He applauded the Downtown Commission1s plan to addr~ss that issue. Councilor Wooten asked what downtown identity is being promoted. Ms. Bennett said there are several components. The identity is that it is a diverse area, not just a retail area, but a business and cultural center which includes housing. Mr. Skeie reported on the operations phase. The Downtown Commission has been following through with several urban renewal projects. One was the 10th Avenue transit mall, another was the Park Willamette project. The Ax Billy Building and pedestrian cover are proposed projects. e Councilor Wooten asked if the Downtown Renewal Plan would include the donut district issue. Mr. Tharp said it is anticipated that that will happen after the Downtown Plan has been developed. Councilor Wooten said the donut district should be considered at the same time. Councilor Lindberg said the one aspect of the Renewal Plan Advisory Committee1s work that would be worth looking into is the report data covering everything from infrastructure to transporta- tion. Councilor Obie suggested that the donut issue become part of some logical process that determines the future ground rules for the area. Councilor Wooten asked for discussion of the issue that some elements of the plan would be contingent upon financing that would not come from any other source. Councilor Ball asked if the Downtown Commission would try to prevent a situation similar to the Park Willamette Building. Mr. McCoy said staff is planning to avoid that procedure. Steps are being taken to keep communication open in development of the Ax Billy Department Store. Ms. Bennett said they would attempt to put the Park Willamette experience to memory to prevent that type of thing from reoccurring. Responding to a question, Mr. Schott said survey results at the Performing Arts Center open house were consistent with the Downtown Commission1s own priorities. There is a uniform lack of understanding of the necessity of infrastructure improvements. Ms. Bennett said safety is the main issue for citizens. Mr. Schott said people do not park in the Overpark because of fear. Councilor e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 15, 1982 Page 4