Item 2G: Res.on LID/West Univ. - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

West University Task Force Final Report June 2003 Background On the night of September 27, 2002,'the West University' area experienced.what has been characterized as Eugene's largest and most destructive riot. Participants in the riot, . mainly young adults who were in the area for parties, caused extensive damage and disruption in the neighborhood. In response, EUgene Mayor Jim Torrey and University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer formed the West University NeighbOrhood Task Force to develop immediate and long-term solutions to the safety and livability issues facing the area. The charge given to the group was three-fold: 1) gather local and national information to assess current conditions and identify opportunities for improvements; 2) recommend immediate and short-term proposals to address public safety issues and the neighborhood environment; and 3) recommend long-term strategies to improve the area as a place to live and work. The task force was comprised neighborhood stakeholders, such as residents, local business owners, and non-profit organizations. Representatives from the Eugene City Council, Pla~nlng Commission, Police Commission, and the Associated Students of the University. of Oregon were also included, as were staff from the City and University. The meetings were open to the public and nm in an informal manner to invite broad participation by other interested members, of the public. Neizhborhood Characteristics and Past Planning Efforts The West University Neighborhood (WUN) encompasses a unique area of Eugene. It is bounded by large institutions - The University of Oregon, Northwest Christian College, Sacred Heart Hospital, South Eugene High School and the commercial areas of downtown and mid-town. The' 'neighborhood has an active and pedestrian friendly commercial spine on 13~ Avenue and is sprinkled with office, commercial, religious, and medical uses. Residentially, the WUN is the densest of Eugene neighborhoods. It is'almost entirely comprised of lower-income renters. Multi-family structures include fraternity and sorority houses, comps, "quads", "quints", and'homes that have been divided and apartment buildings. Despite the number of apartments, there remain many single family homes.sprinl, d, ed throughouL Proximity to the University adds life and ambience to the neighborhood, but not all residents are cra'rent students.. While University students are predominant, WON is' also home to many other residents who either enjoy the ncighborhood's "urban pulse", or who are drawn to the av~lability of rental units at a variety of prices. This neighborhood is old and was designed for the transportation of its day. Nearly every block is intersected by an alleyway in each direction. As the neighborhood evolved, an increasing number of housing units used the alleys as their front door. The alleys, despite their generally poor condition, serve as busy transPortation corridors for pedestrians and vehicles but Can be ..... spooky places at night. ",.