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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />"0ur downtown, historically, has been a regional center of business and <br />commerce. We have the opportunity from an economic standpoint of enhancing <br />that position or, frankly, losing it. This community is blessed with many <br />institutions that are regional in nature. Institutions like Sacred Heart, the <br />airport, the University, the Hult Center, and Valley River Center. They all <br />serve a regional clientle. They all bring activity to our community because <br />we are the center and provide those services. <br /> <br />"0ur downtown provides the same potential. In 1986, I urge the council and <br />Downtown Commission to work closely to clarify and implement the vision that <br />is before us. I ask for the extremely important involvement of the business <br />community and the investment community. Frankly, this is an involvement that <br />has been vital in the past and is needed if this community is going to step <br />forward in this critical area. We must decide how we are going to develop <br />City-owned properties--property that you and I own in downtown Eugene--but we <br />also must remember that it represents the heart of this community, and <br />therefore, is vital to each one of us. It remains one of our greatest <br />opportunities and requires a long term commitment. <br /> <br />Transportation <br /> <br />"In the area of transportation, 1985 was a historic year. Our community broke <br />a 20-year log jam in State funding for transportation projects. We are <br />virtually certain that the State will agree to fund the next phase of the <br />widening and reconstruction of 6th and 7th from Washington to Garfield. And <br />we are hopeful that the project will be underway this year and, as I said, are <br />confident it will be. <br /> <br />"Still critically important is the eventual extension of 6th and 7th from <br />Garfield westward. It is a key east-west route for this community and it will <br />be a key route for industries locating in west Eugene. I anticipate the <br />council will place this issue on the ballot this year. Voter approval is <br />absolutely essential if we are to achieve the goal of 20 years of effort in <br />terms of that east-west arterial. I want everybody in this community to <br />remember that a good transportation system is not only critical to our goal <br />of economic development, but also is critical to our goal of livability. <br /> <br />"I do not want this opportunity to pass without sharing with you and <br />expressing my appreciation to the City of Springfield and Lane County <br />government. For the first time, in 1985 we came together with a list of <br />projects for the metropolitan area, prioritized those, presented them to the <br />State with all three government bodies in agreement and petitioned to push and <br />move forward on those designated projects. Historically, this community and <br />this metropolitan area have been short-changed in this critical area of State <br />dollars spent and State investments made in this community. I believe we have <br />taken a great step forward in changing that direction. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br /> <br />January 6, 1986 <br /> <br />Page 11 <br />