08/14/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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-. ~~... , , , . Mr. Smith said staff researched the need for the types of programs offered by WISTEC. He' said staff believes that there is a need for science classes open to adults as well as children. Mr. Smith said the WISTEC Board is committed to making a last attempt to keep the center open. He assured the council that WISTEC is approaching other jurisdictions for funding and said staff feels that a City contribution of $5,000-$10,000 from the Contingency Fund is appropriate. ,. Ms. Ehrman asked if there are alternatives to operating WISTEC as a nonprofit agency. Mr. Smith said one alternative is to close WISTEC. Another alternative is for the center to be operated by the City or County. Mr. Holmer asked whether the University has pledged emergency funding for WISTEC. Ms. Bascom said the dir'ector of WISTEC and WISTEC board members intend to contact the University about a contribution. She added that the University has historically supported WISTEC through in-kind services. II. RIVERFRONT RESEARCH PARK DEVELOPER NEGOTIATIONS R.A. "Gus" Keller, Chair of the Riverfront Research Park Commission, updated the council on selection of a developer of the Riverfront Research Park. He said that during 1986-88, the University and City were working with The Carley Capital Group to plan the project. In late 1988, Carley asked to be released from the project due to internal restructuring of the company. The University and the City recently conducted a two-stage search process for a e new private developer to develop the research park on a phased basis. Mr. Keller said the search process attracted three very good firms, all with experience in research park development. The commission felt that each of the teams had particular and unique strengths they could bring to the project. - Mr. Keller said the Riverfront Research Park Commission is recommending that Institutional Development Associates (IDA) be selected as the preferred developer for the research park. He said this company is familiar with, and sensitive to, the development climate on the West Coast. " Ms. Ehrman asked whether IDA believes changes to the master site plan are needed. Mr. Keller said IDA was supportive of the master site plan and did not feel any changes were necessary. He said IDA also felt that the relationship between the City and University is unique and will make development of the park easier. Answering a question from Ms. Schue, Mr. Keller said if the conditional use permit for the project is not appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals, it may be possible to break ground in late spring 1990. Mayor Miller asked if there are ways to speed groundbreaking of the project. Mr. Keller was skeptical about breaking ground before late spring. He explained that much of the time between selection of the developer and ground breaking will be spent marketing and designing the project and obtaining financing. Mr. Keller said if this marketing is to be done well, it will take several months. e MINUTES--City Council-- August 14, 1989 Page 2 Dinner/Work Session