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---- e Mr. Holmer endorsed Mr. Bennett1s position about the virtue of urban renewal as a process and about the importance of downtown. He said he believes, however, that the citizens of Eugene should share in the decision making about urban renewal projects and tax increment financing. Mr. Boles agreed, saying that urban renewal should not be used in a vacuum. Mr. Marshall said that while councilors express strong support for maintaining the viability of downtown as a commercial center, the City's planning documents facilitate regional shopping centers and other dispersed commercial development. He said the City's support of decentralized commercial activity undermines the viability of downtown as a commercial center. Mr. Marshall used Salem as an example, stating that Salem has prohibited regional shopping centers within its urban growth boundary. As a consequence, downtown Salem is distinctive as an urban commercial center. Mr. Marshall reiterated that better long-range planning would help address these contradictions. Ms. Bascom pointed out that Salem has used urban renewal extensively. She said the council has consensus that urban renewal is a good way to bring about the downtown development it desires. Mr. Nicholson pointed out that Seattle has a thri'ving downtown core and that this was developed without using urban renewal or tax increment financing. Mayor Miller pointed out that Washington's taxing structure is very different from Oregon's and that this affects the ability to facilitate downtown development. Ms. Schue said that downtown Eugene will probably never be the commercial center of Eugene. Rather, it will be the government and business center of Eugene, with related commercial uses. She said Eugene has a very good chance of success in e developing this type of a downtown. Mr. Calvert urged councilors not to give up on a downtown that is commercially and culturally lively. He said currently downtown Eugene is disappointing and that urban renewal might have contributed to its fa 11 ure. Mr. Perkins agreed that Eugene should not content itself with developing downtown as an office center. Mr. Boles urged councilors to consider the Neighborhood Leaders unanimous recom- mendation that voters be given an opportunity to ratify long-term expenditures of tax increment funds as well as expansions and creation of urban renewal districts. Mr. Holmer said he would like the council to discuss its relationship with the Neighborhood Leaders Council at the next council goals session. Mr. Marshall said that this meeting had been very beneficial and expressed a desire for the council and Neighborhood Leaders to meet more regularly. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. R?;;.:;.P~~~~~~;~1p tt ""'"!'f'""""..' !rr~.. ..... /' .~ ..... ~ Mic al Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Tanya Northman) e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 25, 1989 Page 6 Dinner/Work Session ----