10/08/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams that the council bill ~e appr~ve~ e and given final passage. Rollcall vote. Motion carried, Councllmen Wllllams, Hershner Keller and Mayor Anderson voting aye; Councilmen Beal, Murray, and Wood voting no; ~ouncilmen McDonald and Campbell abstaining; and the bill was declared passed and numbered 16923. III - Consent Calendar . Items acted upon with one motion after discussion~of individual items lf requeste~. Previously discussed in committee on September 26 (Present: Mayor Anderson; Councllmen Beal, Williams, McDonald, Hershner, Keller, Murray, and Wood) and October 3, 1973 (Present: Mayor Anderson; Councilmen Beal, Williams, Hershner, Keller, Murray, and Wood). Minutes of those meetings appear below printed in italics. A. ERA Development Plan North of 8th Avenue - Frank Shearer, chairman of the Eugene Re-', newal Agency, explained that the purpose for requesting a meeting with the Council ,was to review redevelopment plans for the area between 6th and 7th, Olive and Oak, and the half-block between 7th and 8th facing Willamette Street. He said since the auditorium/convention center originally planned for that area did not materialize ' it was felt important to proceed with other development and the Agency does not want to go ahead without consensus from the Council on what is being done. David Hunt, executive director of the Renewal Agency, noted previous distribution e of preliminary narrative description of plans for the area and reviewed briefly history of the renewal project. Brochures published in 1968 were distributed show- ing a schematic drawing of the entire renewal area indicating locations of various activities used as an urban design plan which was the basis for redevelopment. MOdification to plans now call for provision for a two-level parking structure on the half-block south of 7th at Willamette to include a bus terminal on the ground floor and retail spaces fronting on Willamette; hotel development on the block north of 7th between Willamette and Olive; and office development on the block east of Willamette. Mr. Hunt pointed out on slides details of the plans and gave specifics of discussions and negotiations leading to the type of development proposed. He stressed the importance of a hotel development adjacent to the mall and the need for mass transit facilities in that area. He concluded by saying that technical questions will" fJ,.eed Council decisions. For instance, the parking structure would be constructed by the Agency then turned back to the City for operation and maintenance, the bus terminal to be maintained by the Transit District or perhaps by the City on a contractual basis; retail space probably would be leased on a basis similar to those in the 10th and Oak Overpark; etc. Councilman Hershner asked about plans for Willamette Street itself in that area. Mr. Hunt answered that it would be about the same as Broadway between Oak and Pearl - where new sidewalks were recently constructed and mall-type plantings installed. Councilman Williams wondered if the development plan proposed was the only one the Council would be given to consider or whether there would be options. Mr. Hunt said the plan proposed was the result of trying for a development that would accommo- date the interests involved - hotel, offices, transit terminal, parking. The Agency felt the proposal was the best direction to follow. Councilman McDonald asked who would own the parking structure. Mr. Hunt said the co-operative agreement entered into between the City and the Renewal Agency when the renewal project was put into effect provided that project improvements as they developed were to be taken Over by the City and maintained. The parking structure would be one. He added that the City may have to build the facility since there is still some legal question whether a parking structure is considered a public improve- ment under the urban renewal law. He assumed the retail space would be handled a~__ that -In-cth;;lOth'and Oak parking structu'rewhere1Jy pre-lease-funds would be used. Public funds cannot be used to provide retail space. With regard to the transit terminal, Mr. Hunt said, the City would want to retain the option of removing the retail space if the transit terminal proves successful and use of the entire structure: for transit purposes is desired. - Councilman Keller asked if any projections were made with regard to cars and buses taking exit from the parking structure at the same time onto 7th Avenue. Mr. Hunt answered that those types of things have yet to be determined. Before detailed . studies of that nature and contact with the State Highway Department with regard to exit onto 7th, the Agency wanted to have some idea of whether the Council felt the proposed plan was what was wanted. ----------.-.---.-- --- --- ._, --- .- - - -- - --. ~---__---J ) \;. -:!>O3 10/8/73 - 9 '"