05/08/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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complex, the balance would reach across the entire spectrum of the economy - restaurants, taxis, motels and hotels, retail trade. There will be no rent-free rooms, he said, however, there will be certain public and non-commercial activi- ties to whom the facilities will be available at a reduced rate. In answer to Coun9ilman Hershner, Mr. Jarvis said the restaurant is included in the plan as a complimentary and re-enforcing feature of the center's operation as a whole, not merely to produce income. . Councilman williams asked about the $600,000 listed as part of the funding from the Eugen~ Renewal Agency and whether this has been discussed with the Agency. Mr. Amundson said because the site is within the downtown renewal project bo~ndary, the Renewal Agency can, make peripheral improvements plus installation of any needed new' utili tiesiri- pubii..c' right-of-way; hence, these were projected as a part of ERA cos t . Kim Haggadone asked the Council to withhold approval of the concept to allow input from a segment of the public which he said has not had an opportunity to partici7 pate in the planning of the center. .He suggested use of the Johnson Furniture Store building in the block east of Willamette Street for a community culturaJ center to accommodate especially a farmers market and various other organizations which will be removed from the redevelopment area. Mike Sprague asked for consideration of large rooms in the center for use of other than convention-type activitiesr such as weekend retreats, work shops, etc. He suggested provision ,for use of bicycles for transportation rather than cars. "., . Councilman Mohr said the Council does not enter into the designing process., He wonde,red whether initiation of a series of meetings, or publi,c.l:1earings w.9uld"e!l~ . ' .. . , able more of the public to enter into planning so, far as .use of .the center is' concerned, and asked how the Association mad~ its' decisions on use~ of the various elements of the center. Mr., Amundson replied there were meetings with various groups having interest in the center, but it is desirable to contact as many people as possible for suggestions of uses to make it truly a community center. '. Mayor Anderson remarked that so far as physical aspects of the facility are con- cerned the plan presented reflects the desires of the community, the Association, and the Council, and rather than overturn work to this poirt it would seem best to proceed wi th the second phase of the project which is to determine how best it ca~ be used by all ~,t.J1e people. wi th regard to Mr. Haggadone' s remark about removal of various groups from the renewal area without consideration, Mr. Anderson said he feels Eugene is ahead 'of most cities with respect to programs for the po0r and aged. He said under ERA policies there is money available for relocating the businesses which would be displaced by the facility. Malcolm Burke, 344 East 14th Avenue, said he realizes the work already put into the project, but that, he would like to add features to accommodate "people like himself. " Mrs. Beal remarked on the "community" concept of the proposed plan and said uses could be arranged to accommodate -the aged and invalid, as well as provisions for bicycle traffic, after completion of the planning stage. . Councilman Williams remarked on the current progrqrn in progress on c~mm~ity , , '. .' .. _ ~. I. . I > center at Amazon Park, and said Federal requirements clearly designate that people displaced by Federally-funded projects must be provid~c1 wi -th . qther h,?using. Mr. Haggadone referred to use of the block eas-t of Willamette for parking in com- parison -to -the need of those organiza-tions which he said will not be able -to pay the rentals contemplated for use of rooms in the center. He said there should~ be some addi-tional facili-ty for activities such as the Switchboard and the Shelter House which find it difficult to exist with the funds available to -them. He also said he doesn't see anything being done for -these activi-ties under the social goals :j.isted for the downtown area. Councilman Mohr said he was not suggesting public hearings for -the purpose of re- designing the concept, but was suggesting a method for determining allocation of space in the cen-ter. In answer to his question, Mr. Amundson said all of the space has not'been designed, but all of it has been, committed according to a space program supporting one or another of the functions of the center. . Mr. Williams moved seconded by Mrs. Campbell that the Council endorse the concept of the plan presented by the Lane Auditorium Association, and direct the Associa- tion to proceed with design studies that could be used in justifying and en-. couraging public support for a portion of (a capital funds bond issue which will be allocated to) an auditorium convention center which will fit in with the capital funds bond issue intended for presentation to the voters at the November general election. Id3 5/8/72 - 2