07/19/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Mr. Green preferred holding a public hearing before accepting either proposal. He pointed out that there are no multicultural centers in Eugene and he applauded the Friends of Lincoln School proposal for addressing that need. Mr. Rutan questioned the need for an additional public hearing. He agreed with Mr. Bennett that the Lincoln School building is a valuable community resource. He considered the Friends of Lincoln School proposal deficient both in capital and operating financing and said the City eventually would be expected to support the project financially. While he was willing to delay the council's decision, he said it would take more than 90 days for the Friends of Lincoln School to obtain funds from the sources that had been identified. Mr. Rutan cautioned against a delay that could alter Lorig's ability to construct a project at the cost currently projected. While she recognized the needs of the community addressed by the Friends of Lincoln School proposal, Ms. Ehrman considered the Lorig proposal more consistent with the policy direction set forth earlier by the council. She said that Patterson School and the library are within the neighborhood and provide facilities that meet some of those needs. Mayor Miller concurred with councilors' observations that the needs articulated by the Friends of Lincoln School are important community concerns, but he urged the council to avoid making gestures (such as delaying its decision) if there is little reason to expect a different outcome. Because of the proximity of the fairgrounds, he recommended encouraging Lane e County to become involved in the issue and asked the council representatives to the Fairgrounds Master Plan Committee to explore that possibility. Speaking on behalf of the Friends of Lincoln School, Ted Allen anticipated that a minimum of 90 days would be required for the Friends to adequately develop the financing aspect of its proposal. On behalf of Lorig Associates, Mr. Hoffman said the ability to include a child-care facility in the project would be contingent on the tenant's desire to do so. Mr. Boles asked the council to discuss the community access issue further if it awards the project to Lorig and to seriously explore incorporating a child-care component into the project. He felt strongly that the council's decision should be delayed 90 days. Responding to an earlier comment made by Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Boles said the library meeting rooms are too far away to be considered accessible to the westside neighborhood. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to direct staff to proceed with the Lorig proposal and to work to strengthen the community access portion of that proposal with a playground area and a child-care facility. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 19, 1989 Page 6