12/12/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kirk McKinley of the Planning Department presented a brief history of the - project, stating that the environmental assessment was drawn from the Eugene- Springfield Transportation Study and the T-2000 Plan. Three projects within the T-2000 Plan based on land uses were the widening of 6th and 7th avenues, the Mid-Block Freeway, and the 6th and 7th Extension. The T-2000 plan was amended in 1979 related to the Mid-Block Freeway to widen 6th and 7th in the interim and placing that project in the post-1990 phase. He stressed that the two streets needed to be reconstructed because of their present poor condition. He stated that 524 accidents had occurred on 6th and 7th avenues during 1980-82, well above the state average. He said that the traffic projectors were based on the 1990 Plan land uses. David Reinhard of Public Works said the main goal of the project was to recon- struct the 1910-20 vintage 6th and 7th avenues, a major construction effort. He said the avenues would be widened from 34 feet to 46 feet and new sidewalks would be constructed, all within the existing rights-of-way. He referred to several maps which illustrated the sections of the avenues to be reconstructed, those requiring pavement overlays, sidewalks, and the existing and planned street vegetation. He outlined the three phases in which the widening would occur: High Street to Washington Street, Washington Street to Blair Boulevard, and Blair Boulevard to Garfield Street. He said that testimony obtained during the public hearing on the widening project focused on the following issues: the isolation of the downtown area from the Hult Center and the 5th Street area; the build or no build alternatives and the impact of each on the existing trees along 6th and 7th avenues; traffic management versus reconstruction; and the justification of the project. e John Etter of Parks and Receation presented slides which illustrated the types of trees to be utilized in the widening project to replace and add to the existing vegetation. He explained the spatial limitations of the project and the liability of the City for the trees, stating that the City has had to remove approximately two percent of the trees each year due to their hazardous condition. Pat Decker of the Planning Department said the Design Review Committee would work with City staff to determine the impact of the widening project on the trees involved and on the connections to 4th and 5th avenues. Other areas for action included the planting of trees, the consolidation of curb cuts, the identification of areas for narrowing lanes, and the relocation of sidewalks outside the rights-of-way. She said the DTC and Planning Commission represen- tatives to the review committee had already been appointed; the City Council representative had not been appointed as of that date. She said the committee would also include representatives from the neighborhoods abutting the project and several landscape architects. Ms. Decker said the committee would address those issues identified at the State meeting on the widening project and would then present suggestions for the project construction. In response to questions, Mr. Reinhard said that most city traffic traveled on 6th and 7th avenues and then took the path of least resistance--4th, 8th, 11th, 13th, or 18th avenues. City Manager Micheal Gleason said that inter- sections deteriorated rapidly and that commuters were attempting to avoid the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner Session December 12, 1983 Page 5