09/12/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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them when growth occurs. He said it seems impossible to speculate on what e future development there might be. Ms. Wooten declared that the City cannot be that flexible because it would end up with no plan and such a scheme would not be cost-effective. Mr. Rutan said the City could expand the area but not officially put it into place, so it could be quickly implemented as soon as it is needed. Mr. Holmer said he sees a lot of two-story development in the Central Eugene Project; he said he is not sure there is enough development to add 20 percent to the district. Ms. Schue said the City seems to have lost track of its original intentions. She said she thought the original understanding was not to invest in a new area until there is enough interest to pay for it. Mr. Miller asked if the City Council wants to give vision and leadership to help development capture the urban renewal increments. He said it seems prudent to plan about bring- ing the area into the district and take advantage as Eugene looks at expand- ing the downtown area. Ms. Bascom said there are areas right for development around the Oregon Electric Station and the train station. Ms. Wooten said she would like to add the quarter-block south of the alley between Pearl and High streets to the area. Ms, Ehrman said the Grower1s Market west of the train station on Willamette Street could also be added. She suggested that the half-block of the County parking lot and maybe the State office building be omitted. Mr. Gleason said the State is committed to the Portland project 'first, but he always assumed that government service is a key component of Eugene.s service area. Mayor Obie asked if the State gets a tax offset even if private developers develop the area. Mr. Gleason responded that it would depend on how the deal is structured. Ms. Wooten asked if the model included a new State building within the district. Mr. Hibschman said the model was a e generic one. He said another thing to consider is the potential expansion of the Hilton Hotel, which was originally designed to add 100 rooms. Mr. Bennett said that the East Broadway area has development that is occur- ring without City help, through natural market forces. Mr. Rutan said it is also important to remember the role of City government. He said urban renew- al expansion is to facilitate this but it must be remembered that the economy is poor in this area and the council cannot do anything to change that. He said the City should have a district and a program to respond when things begin to happen. Mr. Holmer asked if the new Centennial Bank was planned without City help. Mr. Gleason said the bank decided on the location inde- pendent of the City. Ms. Wooten summarized some of the council.s views thus far. She said the council would like to have more clear, concise calculations on increment values and finances of an independent free-standing structure not located at 5th Avenue and Pearl Street. She said the council wants to examine its commitment to the central core area, the possibility of phased pay parking, and the reasons for not having a new urban renewal district. Ms. Wooten said that Ms. Ehrman would like to drop the half-block of the County lot from the area and Ms. Wooten herself would like to add the quarter-block between Pearl and High streets, The council also requested more information on how to construct a plan without final approval to allow for more flexibility. e MINUTES--City Council Work Session September 12, 1988 Page 4