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The Sustainable Business Initiative brought together a very broad-based group of people with economic, social <br />and environmental expertise, to make recommendations on how the City of Eugene could support and <br />encourage the growth of businesses that produce sustainable products such as alternative energy, alternative <br />fuel, green building, recycling, alternative transportation and health care, natural foods and products. The task <br />force was also charged with making recommendations that would support and encourage all businesses to use <br />sustainable practices that reflect the triple bottom line of protecting our natural resources, building social <br />equity and ensuring economic well-being. Their 22 recommendations, supported by the entire task force and <br />adopted by our City Council, included establishing an Office of Sustainability and a Sustainability Commission. <br />Both the office and commission are now firmly in place. <br /> <br />Then, there was the decades-long, acrimonious debate over the West Eugene Parkway. It was clear that the <br />funding for this project was simply not there and that federal approval was likely never to occur. I asked <br />business owners, environmentalists, neighbors, agencies, and elected officials to join together to start afresh <br />and come up with do-able solutions for the vexing West Eugene traffic and transportation problems. They <br />responded by forming the West Eugene Collaborative. We are working together to make recommendations <br />on how local governing bodies can solve the longstanding traffic and transportation challenges in West <br />Eugene while protecting our biologically rich wetlands. <br /> <br />Another one of our city’s current issues is the reinvigoration of downtown. We’ve had differences of opinion <br />on how best to accomplish this and an election on one proposed course of action is now behind us. It is time <br />to bridge our differences and form a plan that the whole community will support. I urge all those involved <br />and interested in the future of our downtown to work for common ground. We can take the energy and <br />continued commitment of the Citizens for Public Accountability, Chamber of Commerce, and hundreds of <br />other community members and, together, bring life to our downtown, the heart of our city. The valuable <br />work of West Broadway Advisory Committee can help inform the discussion. It is within our reach. <br /> <br />One of the reasons I am so optimistic about our downtown is that much of it is already doing well. Fifth <br />Street, East Broadway and most of Oak, Charnelton, Pearl, Willamette and Olive are busy and full. The <br />Beam redevelopment of Center Court and the Washburn Building is on the table. We have new businesses <br />on Broadway and Enterprise is moving into the refurbished “Bon Marche” building. KLCC is moving in <br />th <br />just a block away on 8 Avenue and Oregon Research Institute has a renewed interest in establishing a <br />presence in downtown. <br /> <br />Yes, we do have those two pits and empty storefronts - and lots of visitors coming to town. In the short run, <br />we can focus public safety efforts on our problem blocks, address rundown storefronts, tweak codes, <br />increase cultural and recreational activities in the area, and look at parking restrictions. I intend to walk <br />into each business in that two-block area to either thank them for looking good or to see how improvements <br />can be made. This is something we must take on together. <br /> <br />Those short-term fixes will help keep the momentum going and build a base for a wide-range of exciting <br />possibilities. We need to put the two problem blocks in the context of our entire downtown: opportunities <br />for a new city hall, expansion of The Shedd, the development of a new Courthouse area, Franklin Boulevard <br />improvements and, with EWEB’s anticipated move, new connections to the river. Let’s roll up our sleeves <br />and keep going. <br /> <br />I am proud of the many services and amenities the City provides: our parks, open spaces and bike paths in <br />every part of the community, and our stewardship of valuable natural resources. Most recently, we were the <br />first city in Oregon to receive Forest Legacy funding in order to preserve 25 acres of Oak habitat at Wild <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—State of the City January 7, 2008 Page 5 <br /> <br /> <br />