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e e e For further evidence of progress, I would like to review with you that agenda that I laid out two years ago but which was, in fact, laid out by the City Council prior to that. It is not hard to remember that the Eugene Airport was the first item on that agenda. The expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport is at our doorstep. Over $11 mi 11 i on--nearly two-thi rds of the fundi ng for thi s project--has been identified. We can no longer say we need a broad base of financial support. We have one! The Federal government along with the State government and Lane County have already stepped forward. The City Council has been fully aware that the people of this community are still recovering from the economic slump. Therefore, they have made the recommendation and have asked you to live within our means, to approve bonds that will be paid for out of existing revenue streams, not the creation of new taxes. Airport expansion has never been more critical to this community. We have succeeded in attracting new airlines and are experiencing record passenger ridership and air cargo levels at the airport. The council has done its work. The question for this community on March 31 and the question to you is: Will you do yours? That is part of the challenge I lay before you in 1987. We have brought that project, a group of people, as far as we can without your help. Now it is up to you to take the last step. The second item on the agenda, 11m sure you'll remember, was the Riverfront Research Park. Our progress will soon be self-evident in bricks and mortar. The cornerstone is now being laid with construction of the University of Oregon's new $44 million science complex. Our vision is taking shape. Working in partnership with the University of Oregon and our private partner, the Carley Capital Group, we are making steady progress. The project this coming year will take an important step with the development of a master site plan and we hope some very key infrastructure development. Community involvement in this process is essential. I ask each of you here to give your time and, particularly, your close attention in 1987 to this project. We have a tremendous opportunity--one that this community has never before experienced, to forge a new economy--not just for Eugene, but for the entire southern Willamette Valley. We have the potential to create both new jobs and to develop new industries. And more important, we have the potential to once and for a 11 prove that economi c deve 1 opment and our concern for our environment are compatible. The third agenda item we spoke of two years ago was downtown. We set ourselves a goal that downtown should be a proud reflection of each of us. That it be an exciting place to be, to shop, to work, to play--a regional center for commerce and culture. I am pleased to report to you tonight that in 1986 we saw 18 new businesses locate downtown. Vacant office and retail space is fi 11 i ng--and our downtown vacancy rate has been cut in half. Changes to Willamette Street have improved both traffic circulation and visibility and early indications from Willamette Street businesses between 10th and 13th are very positive. Improvements to the Broadway section of the mall will begin next month. Two years ago we adopted the Downtown Plan to provide a broad framework for the revitalization. Today, there is a new hope and optimism. Our renewed spirit, energy, and interest in downtown will carry forth into 1987 and ensure our success. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 5, 1987 Page 3