Ordinance No. 20316 - Laserfiche WebLink

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character of the core of downtown, while allowing the unique character of this area to emerge. 5th Avenue A 5th Avenue connection to the riverfront has been a part of the vision for downtown for decades. The east end of 5th Avenue ends at an at-grade railroad crossing at High Street. This area of 5th Avenue is already a popular downtown destination. An inviting pedestrian route from the terminus of 5th Avenue would allow some of the eclectic energy and character of this street to extend to the river. A full street extension would allow more intensive reuse of EWEB's properties, including areas currently used for surface parking. Additional River Connections Other connections to the riverfront from downtown currently exist and should be enhanced. These include Lincoln Street and High Street, providing access to the fiver from Skinner Butte Park. These existing connections lie just outside the reach of this plan but within easy walking distance from downtown. Multiple points of access will strengthen the fiver as a key element in the character of our downtown and the heritage of our community. The City should support all practical means of establishing or enhancing existing connections to the public waterfront. Connections from downtown to the river need to be well-marked, with carefully designed signs for information and direction. Policies 1. Incorporate the Willamette River as an integral element to downtown planning and development. 2. Collaborate with EWEB to encourage relocation of their utility facilities. o A master plan for the EWEB riverfront property must be approved by the city before any redevelopment, land use application, rezoning, Metro Plan or refinement plan diagram amendments are approved for uses not associated with EWEB functions. The master plan shall be evaluated based on the master plan's consistency with principles A through D below: A. Create a "people place" that is active, vibrant, accessible and multi-use. B. Provide appropriate setbacks, deeper where environmental or habitat issues are more critical, shallower in other areas. C. Incorporate appropriate building and site design techniques that address environmental concerns. D. Incorporate an educational aspect, so that the riverfront improvements teach us about our river, our history and our city. The master plan shall be considered using the City's Type II application procedures, unless the applicant elects to have the master plan reviewed concurrently with a Type III, Type IV or Type V application. 29