01/13/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Jim Robertson, of Roberton/Sherwood Architects, reviewed the process the architects used to develop the site recommendation. Mr. Robertson said one of the committee's first tasks was to set up a scoring method to evaluate all aspects of a new library. The seven categories were size, access, parking, traffic impact, land use and urban design, public support and ease of acquisition, and cost considerations. He said the committee accepted his recommendation to separate building cost concerns from the best possible location for a new library. He said his consultant's team was directed by the committee to inventory the potential sites in the downtown core area. Nine sites were identified, and four finalists were selected. After more review and site ranking, Site 3 at the corner of Broadway and Charnel ton was the winner, receiving 12 percent higher score than Site 2 on Eighth Avenue between Willamette and Olive streets. The advantages of Site 3 include: 1) enough space to accomodate both the library building and parking; 2) proximity to retail and commercial activity; 3) proximity to the downtown employment center; 4) good transportation access; 5) minimum impact on existing traffic and parking patterns; 6) good potential for enhancing the downtown area; 7) increased library usage through downtown activity; 8) existing City ownership under the urban renewal district; 9) compatibility with which a three story library and adjacent parking would fit into the downtown density. Julie Aspinwall-Lamberts, committee member, said parking discussions took up a significant amount of the committee's time. She said after often heated debate the committee decided that a parking structure on the current site would have to be constructed on what is now privately-owned land on Olive Street. Another conclusion is that a multi-story parking structure is needed to keep with the City's goals of intensifying the downtown land use density. Ms. Aspinwall-Lamberts said the committee anticipates the need for 536 parking spaces. Some of the factors involved in decreasing that number from an initial projection of 700 spaces were 1) the current use of parking at the present library; 2) the under use of parking lots at Broadway and Charnelton; 3) the possibility of shifting current long-term lease parking to other underused areas; 4) the potential of library patrons combining their visits with other trips to the downtown area; 5) the potential of staff using alternative modes of travel; 6) the addition of several spaces to accomodate seasonal and special event parking peaks. She noted that the library committee1s parking recommendations are consistent with the draft Urban Renewal Plan. Ms. Ehrman reviewed the committee's work regarding the cost and financing of the proposed library. She said committee members were suprised at the high cost of the library project. She said parking should be considered a City responsibility, and added there are reasons, in addition to a new library, to expand downtown parking facilities. Mr. Robertson stressed for council members that the cost information MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 13, 1988 Page 4