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<br /> , , <br />Bob Hibschman, Planning and Development Department, stated that the Downtown <br />Commission strongly recommended that the City Council address downtown parking . <br />needs through structured parking. The commission also recommended that staff <br />work on a potential design for the lOth Avenue Corridor, enter into an option <br />agr'eement with LTD for two parcels of land, and mitigate the loss of parking <br />caused by LTD's new downtown transit station with the construction of struc- <br />tured parking. The commission expressed no preference on the alternatives for <br />structured parking. <br />Mr. MacDonald inquired about an pption D that the Downtown Commission did not <br />favor. Scott Lue11, Planning and Development Department, responded that it <br />would not provide structured parking, instead absorbing the changes within the <br />existing system. <br />In response to Mr. Boles, Mr. Hibschman stated that when buses move to an off- <br />street location, 10th Avenue would need pedestrian improvements complementing <br />the new transit station and recent improvements to Olive Street. <br />Stefano Viggiano, Lane Transit District staff, provided an update on LTD's <br />feasibility study of a downtown shuttle. He said the study would be completed <br />in February. Shuttles in approximately 30 similar-sized communities have been <br />surveyed, about 12 of them like that proposed for Eugene. LTD staff has <br />created a potential design for the shuttle route and will survey potential <br />downtown users, identify the appropriate vehicle, and investigate cost, <br />funding opportunities, and demand. <br />Mr. Viggi~no displayed the proposed route, which connects the University of . <br />Oregon with the downtown, 5th Street Public Market, and the Library in a loop <br />taking about 20 minutes. He pointed out that the route does not cover the <br />midtown area between 11th and 18th avenues. It is not conceived as a park- <br />and-ride shuttle, although that model will also be investigated and a combined <br />system is possible. <br />In response to Mr. Miller, Mr. Viggiano said that the shuttle, if it proves <br />feasible, will probably not alleviate the need for further structured parking <br />downtown. ~e said the most important factor in encouraging use of alternative <br />modes is a high density of development and employment downtown. Mr. Miller <br />said that a park-and-ride facility at Autzen Stadium or on River Road would do <br />more to reduce the demand for downtown parking than the shuttle by itself. <br />Mr. Viggiano added that the market for the shuttle is not current bus riders. <br />Mr. Nicholson suggested that a policy of high downtown parking rates combined <br />with low- or no-cost park-and-ride facilities would reduce demand. Mr. <br />Viggiano responded that it might cause developers to relocate, reducing <br />downtown density. He said at least 20 park-and-ride facilities are already in <br />place along regular bus routes, many making use of church or restaurant <br />parking lots. Mr. Nicholson said the parking policy would have to be accompa- <br />nied by appropriate land use policies. He added it is likely that adequate <br />downtown density would require shifting some parking outside the core. Mr. <br />Boles agreed that only comprehensive policies to increase utilization of <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 23, 1992 Page 2 . <br />5:30 p.m. <br />