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<br /> should consider the necessary stimulus the public sector provides to encourage <br /> private sector reinvestment. <br /> e B. Objectives and Accomplishments of Urban Renewal <br /> Greg Byrne, an EDD staff member, referred the council to a document that <br /> stated the objectives of the 1968 Urban Renewal Plan: <br /> a. Reorganization and consolidation of the main commercial <br /> area by providing expansion possibilities for existing <br /> retail operations; <br /> b. Provision of adequate parking to meet existing and future <br /> demand; <br /> c. Consolidation of parking into major facilities located around <br /> the edge of the retail core; <br /> d. Improving access and circulation; <br /> e. Creation of traffic-free pedestrian precincts; <br /> f. Provision of assembled sites for new office, retail, service, <br /> and other commercial uses; <br /> g. Creation of an appropriate setting for the proposed Auditorium- <br /> Convention Center; and <br /> e h. Installation of public improvements that will stimulate private <br /> investment in new developments to protect the existing economic <br /> base and to bring about an increase in tax income to the City <br /> and County. <br /> Mr. Byrne said significant accomplishments have been made: the construction <br /> of 30 new buildings, with a total value of about $40 mill ion; 22 <br /> rehabilitations totaling about $10 million; over $6 mill ion in public <br /> investments; the creation of the Hult and Conference Center; the creation of <br /> pedestrian precincts; the assembly of sites for development; and the <br /> development of new infrastructure. However, he said the effort is still <br /> incomplete (e.g., items (b) and (c)). Also, about one-third (5.5 acres) of <br /> the property that the urban renewal Agency acqui red is still in pub 1 i c <br /> ownership. Mr. Byrne said this property is being actively marketed. He also <br /> said that goals (h) and (d) were driving reasons behind the proposed expansion <br /> of the Urban Renewal District and redesign of Willamette Street from 8th to <br /> 10th avenues. <br /> Mr. Byrne said that in recent months, considerable analysis has focused on <br /> comparing the assessed value in the Urban Renewal District to that of other <br /> taxing districts, and claiming that downtown growth has been slow and the <br /> accomplishments of urban renewal disappointing. He said staff disagrees with <br /> such claims, because such comparisons need to be viewed within the context of <br /> urban renewal theory and practice. Urban renewal begins with an area that is <br /> e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 30, 1987 Page 5 <br />