09/28/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Lindberg congratulated the developers and appreciated the presence and the efforts of the Eugene Downtown Commission. He said he understood that e communication in a fast-evolving situation was not perfect, but he hoped that the reporting process could accelerate to allow wide dissemination of any progress in the project. Res. No. 899--A resolution authorizing execution of an exclusive right to negotiate agreement. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt, in its capacity as the Urban Renewal Agency, the resolution. Councilor Holmer expressed some skepticism, stating that although he wanted to see the development of the downtown area, he acknowledged that other exclusive agreements had been made. He added that there was no guarantee of the success of the present agreement. He said that even though he would support the agree- ment, he still had some concern that the agreement was given without any public input or open competition. Mr. Gleason responded that the adopted plan had been in progress since 1968. He said that no attempt had been made to keep the plan secret, adding that conversations on the plan had been held on a regular basis at the local and national level to discuss implementation. Mr. Gleason stressed that no serious groups had been turned away. He explained that if the present proposal were to fail, the City would continue to work with any developers or ad hoc group of citizens willing to develop the program. He stressed that the group must have the binding authority of the City to deal with the joint venture arrangements. He said the process did not necessarily exclude any other interested groups. He said t~e only other procedure for developing such a program would e have been to issue'ta Request for Proposal and to advertise nationwide. Councilor Holmer thanked Mr. Gleason for his clarification of the rationale that had been followed. He said he would consider the option of advertising for any future projects. He said that he would support the agreement. Councilor Smith said she also appreciated the comments of the City Manager in terms of local involvement. She encouraged those individuals involved in the project to take that approach. She asked that the council be given continued input on the status of the project and the opportunities available for public input. Mr. Gleason reviewed some of the problems involved in submitting a Request For Proposal, stressing that the developers must have the credentials and track record necessary to complete the project. In addition, he said the developers must work within the legal constraints of the community and all of its competing assets. He said the developer must spend money to prove that the project is feasible. Mr. Gleason said that the City was not trying to exclude other groups, but that there must be a high level of trust between the City and the developers. He said he appreciated the comment that open competition must exist, but he stressed that individuals must be aware of the constraints. Councilor Wooten stated that no one else had expressed an interest in developing the downtown area. She said she was pleased by the presence and the efforts of the Sonoma Financial Corporation. She urged that the City and the council extend every cooperation to the developers in their six-month study. She e cautioned that expectations should not be created among the public. MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 28, 1983 Page 6 ~