CC Minutes - 08/09/06 Workshop - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Poling remarked that consolidation might also depend on the site selected. Mr. Hacker reminded the council that massing diagrams for both full block and half block sites indicated that either could accommodate Option B; however, selecting Option C would require two sites: one for City Hall and one within two blocks distance for police. Mr. Kelly said that Option C did not specify a distance. Interactive Session Applying Criteria to Potential Sites Mr. Hacker said that in relation to all of the criteria discussed previously, the current City Hall site was a good choice and the design team recommended that it should be considered as a primary possibility for the new City Hall. He said the site was positioned on a great civic street, had desirable relationships to other governmental functions, and was close to the Park Blocks and cultural center of town. Regarding proximity to cultural activity, he stated the team believed that city halls benefited from being visible and seen by the public; sites near places used by the public in large numbers were a benefit to the image and presence of government. Mr. Macy said the site from Willamette Street to Oak Street, incorporating the butterfly lot and commercial uses, as a potential City Hall site included the prospect of reclaiming the historic Park Blocks and would contribute to the great civic street as well as promote the concept of a City Hall with a great civic space. He said that locating the City Hall across the street from the Hult Center would also provide high visibility. Mr. Hacker added that the site was also consistent with higher use of the land and sustainability. Mayor Piercy said that the public should discuss whether use of the current City Hall as a visual arts center would be consistent with the civic vision. Mr. Macy said that with respect to the great street concept, there were two problems with the current City Hall over the long-term: in a 50- to 100-year horizon it was a complete underutilization of land and had no ground floor relationships. He said the building was designed in a time when ground floor relationships were not deemed important but over time, planners and architects recognized that a community’s streets were its most valuable open space. Mr. Papé asked if the buildings along Willamette Street on the west side of the site were on the Historic Register. Mr. Hacker replied that the quarter block site did not have any historic structures and was currently underutilized. He said there was some attraction to having a local government presence on the main street with a connection between Spencer Butte and Skinner Butte. Mr. Papé said the current City Hall site could be better utilized either as the site of a new City Hall or sold for a different, more intense use. Mayor Piercy said it appeared that all were in agreement that the current federal building and County’s parking garage were not viable sites and could be removed from the list of potential sites. Mr. Macy encouraged an approach that would mix other uses with civic uses along the great civic street to promote activity throughout the day and evening. MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 9, 2006 Page 7 Work Shop