Item A: Downtown Open Space Update

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2. Opportunities There are opportunities throughout downtown for additional green spaces. The opportunities include public sites, such as the expansion of the Park Blocks or the redevelopment of the EWEB riverfront, as well as private sites that have redevelopment potential and may include public green th space opportunities, such as the 10 and Charnelton development site. Additionally, there are opportunities for integrating green throughout downtown, such as expanded plantings at curbs, the Eugene Tree Foundation's Trees for Concrete program and stormwater-related landscape improvements. 3. Great Streets Staff analyzed existing and potential open and green space areas in the context of the vision expressed in the Downtown Plan, specifically the Great Streets concept. Well-designed urban open space is one of the main ideas integrated into the Great Streets concept. The concept provides a key organizing framework for downtown open space as a significant amenity for downtown. Staff has begun to look for opportunities to enhance the Great Streets with a range of open space and landscape opportunities. The goal is to enhance and connect important places downtown, including the riverfront and adjacent path system, and to contribute to the livability and identity of downtown. This downtown open space analysis addresses the following implementation strategy for downtown: Prepare an open space plan for downtown that includes the Park Blocks, parks adjacent to ? downtown and the riverfront path system. Other related implementation strategies in the Downtown Plan include the following: Link Great Streets to important public places, including urban plazas and open spaces. ? Develop a separate design strategy for each Great Street. Include urban trail and street ? improvement elements such as: public art, special planting schemes, center medians, street lamps, benches and kiosks, banners and street (signs), information and building signs. Encourage the creation of new special places especially along the Great Streets. ? Provide places downtown that appeal to children and families. Consider places to play or learn ? about the city. Design places with kids in mind. Identify areas along streets that can be enhanced by landscaping, art or pedestrian amenities. ? Maintain views and access from downtown to nearby open space areas. Include signs and ? sidewalk improvements. RELATED CITY POLICIES Open space planning for downtownaddresses Downtown Plan and Growth Management policies. The project does not directly address or affect City Council goals or priorities but may indirectly affect Council Goals related to an Accessible and Thriving Culture and Recreation and Council Priorities related to the Arts and Outdoors. The downtown open space analysis is consistent with the policies included in the Downtown Plan. Policies which specifically relate to open space downtown include the following: Downtown development shall support the urban qualities of density, vitality, livability and ? diversity to create a downtown, urban environment. Emphasize Broadway, Willamette Street, 5th and 8th Avenues as Great Streets through public ? improvements and development guidelines. Include portions of these streets as follows: - Willamette between 5th and 13th avenues L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061025\S061025A.doc