Item A: South Willamette Street Improvement Plan

Home Browse Search

vision and identifies tools realizing that vision in the South Willamette area. One important goal of the Concept Plan is to create a neighborhood where services for residents are available in a “20- minute” walk, and the street functions for a variety of users. The timing of the South Willamette Street Improvement Plan is good because it melds with the South Willamette Concept Plan, and needed pavement preservation work recently identified in the 2012 Bond Measure to Fix Streets and Fund Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects. In August 2012, the project team began by talking with stakeholders in small groups, including property and business owners, bicycle, pedestrian and transit advocates, and neighborhood leaders from Friendly, Crest, South Eugene and Amazon neighborhood associations. Based on knowledge gained, in September two robust focus groups were organized (one based on business; and another based on users of cars, walking, bus, and bike) to hear more about people’s concerns, preferences and flexibilities towards identified corridor issues. In October, traffic count data was collected (when UO and LCC campuses were active) and an Existing Conditions Report was prepared. In November, over 150 participants attended the first Community Forum where they heard the results of recent traffic studies, explored alternatives, and the project team listened to community priorities for future improvements. A second Community Forum was held in February 2013 to evaluate the alternatives that were prepared in response to earlier community conversations. Following the February Community Forum, the project team narrowed the number of alternatives down to three and performed more detailed transportation analysis. The third, and final, Community Forum was held on June 11, 2013. Participants were asked to help rank and refine the street design alternatives following a presentation of transportation analysis and group discussion. An online survey was also available between June 12 and June 18 to hear the preferences of those that were not able to attend the Community Forum. In the fall, a draft plan will be presented to the Eugene Planning Commission and a recommendation made to the Eugene City Council for consideration. The South Willamette Street Improvement Plan is being managed by the City of Eugene and is funded with a grant from the Transportation and Growth Management program of the Oregon Department of Transportation. More details of the project and public involvement process are available at: http://www.eugene- or.gov/SWillametteStreet RELATED CITY POLICIES Later in the fall, as the South Willamette Street Improvement Plan develops a preferred alternative, the Eugene City Council will have an opportunity to consider the policy context surrounding the South Willamette Street Improvement Plan. The council may choose to affirm existing policies, balance potential conflicts between policies, approve potential changes to existing policies or enact new policies. S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130619\S130619A.doc