09/08/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms, Bennett said the commission had voted to recommend beginning the project after the holiday season and completing the entire project, including removal e of the rest rODms. She said the commission felt that the project was integral to the success of the Centralized Retail Management project, She also noted that the project would enhance downtown security by clearing site lines and imprDving lighting, Ms. Bennett said a second reduced option also was included in the proposal, That option would retain the existing rest rooms and wDuld not include street furnishings. She added, however, that the commission felt it was prudent to complete the entire project at once. Ms. Bennett said no replacement wDuld exist for the rest rooms if they were removed, but she added that the cDmmission felt the current rest room location was not a good one, She said another rest room would be addressed in the design of the public plaza and with discussions of the Lane Transit Station downtown, Ms, Bennett said adequate interim rest rDom facilities could be provided by two rest rooms in the Overpark, by one in the Parcade, and by rest rooms in businesses, She said rest rooms in the Overpark and the Parcade were handicapped accessible, Ms. Bennett addressed the concern that improvements to the public right-of-way would not ensure increased retail activity, She said the Centralized Retail Management program was making substantial progress in so]iciting commitments from private owners, She reviewed progress in reaching the goals of unified hours of operation, tenant mix, and private participation through bUilding improvements and the awning program, Ms. Bennett submitted notes on the project and asked the council to approve the entire project as presented. Jan Bohman of the Development Department presented the staff report. She said e funding for the Broadway project would come from the unappropriated fund balance in the tax allocation fund, which now was about $2,2 million, She said the fund was dedicated for capital improvements within the Renewal area boundary only, and projects were required to be consistent with the Downtown Plan and the Renewal Plan. She reviewed the recommendations for the complete project and for a second, reduced option, Ms, Ehrman asked about the differences between the new proposal and the project already approved by the council. Ms, Bohman said elements of the project were the same, but additional costs were required for revamping of the underground electrical system and for demolition of foundations under mall structures, She said the current electrical system was not adequate to handle proposed lighting and also would have to be moved, Mr. Gleason said costs could be paid twice if remodelling had to be redone later, Responding to Mr, Miller1s question, Ms. Bohman said the project would not deplete the entire balance in the fund. Mr, Miller asked about handicapped accessible rest rooms in The Bon, Staff said they understood that accessible rest rooms were proposed along with the package that included awnings. Ms, Bohman said she did not know whether The Bon planned expanded hours. Mr. Miller noted that the Eugene Celebration and other events required convenient, publicly accessible rest rODms, Mr, Gleason said two rest rooms had been renovated and made handicapped accessible, and he noted that facilities in the existing mall structure were small and probably had an insignificant impact during Celebrations and similar events. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 8, 1986 Page 9