12/20/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. RIVERFRONT RESEARCH PARK . Mayor Obie said the initiation of the Riverfront Research Park project indi- cated a realization by members of the City Council that the City and the universities could play an important role in changing the agricultural and wood products based economy of the Eugene/Springfield area. The cluster of new science buildings to be constructed with State and Federal funds is an important factor in the diversification. It will increase the city's attrac- tiveness to new industries. It illustrates the vision that will change the economy. Councilor Wooten discussed the cooperation between University and City repre- sentatives which resulted in the design of the Riverfront Research Park. She said an intergovernmental commission is being formed to oversee the park. It will be the first such organization in the state. She reviewed the advantages of the tax increment district which will fund the public improvements in the Riverfront Research Park. She said a $17 million investment in the park is forecast. IV. SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE RESEARCH CORRIDOR Springfield City Manager Steve Burkett, chair of the Southern Willamette Research Corridor, discussed the founding of the Research Corridor three years ago in response to community concerns about the economy. The steering commit- tee includes representatives from Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Albany, -_- Junction City, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, private businesses, the Metropolitan Partnership, the public/private partnership in the Albany area, and community colleges. Mr. Burkett said Research Corridor representatives would like the Board of Higher Education members to consider the Corridor a resource. He sai d corri- dor representatives want to be cheerleaders for the state's higher education because many people, even some residents of the Willamette Valley, do not realize the value of the institutions of higher education. He said Corridor representatives have found a great deal of interest in the universities, the Research Corridor, and the Riverfront Research Park during trips to the Far East. Mr. Burkett reiterated the value of cooperation among the municipalities and the University of Oregon. He said an example of that cooperation is the study of the Georgia-Pacific property in Springfield completed by University archi- tectural students two years ago. The aO-acre property was recently donated to the City of Springfield. V. COMMENTS Chancellor Davis said a powerful alliance of representatives of businesses, institutions of higher education, and local governments is being created. He said the institutions of higher education have received support from Governor -" - MINUTES--Eugene City Council and State Board of Higher Education December 20, 1985 Page 2