02/24/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e - e very special district with sidewalks on both sides of the street, brick crossings, trees more often than every 35 feet, and pedestrian level lighting. She said the area should be distinctive to attract tourists. She wondered what process the City could use to make more improvements than in the proposed project. Mr. Teitzel responded that the improvements were planned with pedestrians in mind. He said he is working with the Planning Department, the Development Department, and the Parks Department to complete a design that will be compatible with a pedestrian corridor from the downtown to the Fifth Street Market. He said the CIP indicates that City funds will not be available for the project until at least 1990. The Public Works Department is trying to get some improvements accomplished with an assessment district. Answering questions from Councilor Holmer, Mr. Teitze1 said property owners on the south side of Fifth Avenue have not been contacted. The right-of-way on the north side of Fifth Avenue will accommodate a 12-feet-wide sidewalk which will be composed of two, six-foot modules. Trees will be planted in the modules and he will discuss appropriate spacing for the trees with the Parks Department staff. Responding to questions from Councilor Hansen, Mr. Teitze1 said the zoning on the properties requires a sidewalk from the curb to the property line and the Downtown Plan indicates that the wide sidewalk at the Oregon Electric Station will be continued down the block. If the properties on the south side of Fifth were developed now, a 12-foot sidewalk would be required. The property owners on the north side will pay for the 12-foot sidewalk through an assessment district. The code requires 12-foot sidewalks in commercial areas because there should be enough pedestrian traffic to warrant them. Mr. Hansen wondered if it is appropriate to take $19,000 from this year's budget and $40,000 in succeeding years when there may be a shortfall in this year's budget. Mr. Teitze1 said that most of the $19,000 would be from pavement rehabilitation funds. Ms. Wooten said she was excited about the potential for attracting tourists and for making the special district a delightful part of the community. She would like improvements for the entire area to be planned. She wants the area around the South Pacific Train Station to be a beautiful, interesting entrance to Eugene. She wants to encourage pedestrian use and activity along Fifth Avenue. She wondered if a local improvement district would be a better way to fund the improvements than an assessment district. Councilor Schue agreed that the improvements envisioned by Ms. Wooten would be nice from the train station to the Hu1t Center and on both sides of Fifth Avenue. Ms. Schue said she would agree to spending $19,000 for the project, but she did not think funds should be spent for a more elegant project because of budget constraints and the placement of the project in the CIP. She said starting the project now may encourage more improvements later. Answering questions from Councilor Miller, Mr. Teitzel said a preliminary design for both sides of Fifth Avenue will be completed before the improvements on the north side of Fifth are constructed. The design will ensure that the improvements are part of a comprehensive plan. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 24, 1986 Page 2