Resolution No. 4801 - Laserfiche WebLink

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F. In May 2002 the first step in removing functions from City Hall so that it could be replaced was taken when voters approved a bond measure to relocate Fire Station #1 from City Hall to a new downtown fire station at 13th and Willamette Street The Council also approved using internal funding from the Facility Reserve for a Forensics Evidence Unit and Property Control Unit facility to be built at a site on Roosevelt Boulevard in May 2002 in order to relocate personnel that were working in the basement of City hall into a safer and more suitable working space G. The policies in the Downtown Plan were adopted by the City Council in April 2004, after a four-year process to develop the plan In 2000, the City Council appointed a Committee for Greater Downtown Visioning to explore the future of downtown The vision that emerged promoted downtown as a thriving, active urban center with ties to our rich natural heritage, a variety of intermingled activities, and safe, inviting streets This vision was used as a basis for updating the Downtown Plan, which included the concept of a "Civic Street" that would link a series of existing and planned open spaces, and be the first choice for future civic buildings, including a new city hall or police headquarters H. Mayor Torrey initiated the formation of a Civic Facilities Visioning Committee in January 2004 that was charged with developing a coordinated vision of civic building and infrastructure needs downtown and to submit recommendations to the Council on how to implement that vision I. The Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee presented its report to the City Council in June 2004 that set out a vision for future development of a Civic Center, policy principles to guide the development, and recommendations on how the vision could be implemented The Council adopted a revised set of policy principles in th July 2004 that included a consolidation of City functions, reinforcement of 8 Avenue as the Great Civic Street, enhancement of open space, development of partnerships, inclusion of public safety services, provision of adequate transportation alternatives, employment of sustainable cost-effective development approaches, and a plan for mixed use development J. During June and July 2004 the City Council considered a number of options for implementation of the Civic Center Vision, and determined that the vision should be implemented in a phased approach with a Community Safety Building being the first step in creating the new Civic Center Vision The first phase would include space for the Police Department's estimated needs for the next 10 years, a back-up 911 center, space for social service agencies to co-locate with the Police Department, expansion of and improvements to the downtown park blocks, and street enhancements to achieve the "Civic Street" concept recommended in the Downtown Plan The City's existing internal resources are sufficient to fund a Community Safety Building with a back-up 911 Center, but are not sufficient to include space for social service agencies to co-locate with the Police Department, provide additional space to meet needs for the next 10 years, or fund expansion of and improvements to the downtown park blocks, or street enhancements to achieve the "Civic Street" concept recommended in the Downtown Resolution - 2