09/10/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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inclusion had no financial impact on the City. He added that the lot could be removed, but it would make boundaries more complex and no objections had been , expressed. C. Lane Transit District Station Mr. Hibschman said a study had been jointly sponsored by Lane Transit District and City staff to evaluate operation of the current transit station and other potential sites. He said the consultant had concl uded that the current station was spread too far and should be made more compact, within two blocks. He said time-lapse photography had shown pedestrian and auto problems in the alley between Olive and Willamette and in Olive Street. He said no problems had been observed at Willamette Street, but the consultant had indicated that the open street contributed to a lack of cohesiveness of the site. Mr. Hibschman said recommendations for improving the site had included developing blocks along Olive, filling vacancies, improvements to the Overpark (which now had occurred), improving signing, improving traffic flow through the all ey, and connecting Olive Street with the mall to avo; d jaywalking. He said the recommendations were made regardless of whether Willamette Street was opened to traffic. Mr. Hibschman said a 4 percent increase in LTD ridership had occurred since the spring, when Wi 11 amette Street was reopened, and he noted that the increase had doubled from a 2 percent increase the previous year. He added that LTD and City staffs had agreed that compensation for the reopening of Willamette was not an issue. f9 Mr. Hibschman reviewed proposals for the LTD station, including making improvements to the existing site; using the parking lots along Olive Street for buses; removing the bingo building and using that lot; and using the County "butterfly" lot. He said both staffs currently favored the butterfly lot, which the study noted had met most of the criteria. He said the Downtown Commission and the LTD board would discuss the proposals. Ms. Bascom said she had reservations about proceeding on the butterfly lot now. She said she favored keeping other options open. Ms. Ehrman asked whether the City Council would have any authority over the butterfly lot. Ms. Stewart said the City would give approval only if LTD decided to locate on City-owned land. She said the only relationship the council would have if the butterfly lot was chosen would be if the council were asked to participate in funding, which historically had occurred. Ms. Stewart said once a site was identified, the City would begin discussions with LTD about funding participation. She added that the station would affect streets in the area and said tax allocation funding had been used in the past for 10th Avenue improvements. Ms. Bascom said the site chosen could affect the cultural center and downtown IIflavor." Ms. Stewart said staff understood the need to maintain cooperation. Mr. Byrne noted that assets of the Urban Renewal Agency were heavily in real estate and parking. He said if a City-owned lot were chosen, that leverage should be released only after strong consideration. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 10, 1986 Page 6