01/23/1984 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e e .-. In response to a question, Mr. Gix said the project period would be approximately one year. He said the present schedule would be to look for a contract in August or September so that most of the heavy work would be done during the winter season and then surfacing during the summer of 1985. He explained that the primary emphasis prior to the Christmas season would be on curbing and draining and the heavy work would begin after that time. In response to a question regarding the weave option, Mr. Gix stated that the improved Six-Year Plan had approved the two western sections of the project through the final plan stage to be completed by 1987. He said Governor Atiyeh has asked the Transporta- tion Commission for legislation to fund the projects, in which the 6th/7th Widening Project is included, and that the projects would be funded by a bond program. He said 1987 could be the construction year if funds were located by that time. Mr. Gix stated that it would be possible to shift a portion of the project to Phase 2 and that compromise could be reached in that area. Councilor Hansen stated that the charge of the Design Review Committee demon- strated that the issue is not 137 trees, and, if trees are the key issue, then the State has shown that it will cooperate with the input of the DRC. He said his feeling is that the people of the community must have a place to go for a job and that he hopes a consensus can be reached to go forward with a positive direction on Alternative B. He felt that the State could give the City assur- ances that they will work closely in developing programs within that alternative to meet the needs of the City. He thought that the big trees on 7th Avenue could easily be saved. He said it must be remembered that safety is still the ultimate goal in any design. He said indications were that the trees in front of the Federal Building can be saved. He said he has spent many years dealing with the project and feels that it is time to move forward with it. Councilor Schue said she essentially agreed with Mr. Hansen that this project was formulated with a large amount of public participation. She said the public was also heard at the ballot box in regard to the Roosevelt Expressway, an alternative east/west corridor. However, she said an east/west arterial is still needed. Quoting Mr. Gix, she said a three-lane improvement of the existing roadway could not be performed until it is recycled through the State funding process. She felt the roadway needs improvement soon and said the State is ready to perform the construction. She said she is pleased with the efforts of the Design Review Committee to save as many trees as possible; she added that she wants the DRC to finish its review on sidewalks, crosswalks, and other issues. Ms. Schue said she is also pleased with the willingness of the State to cooperate with the City in the modifications to Alternative B as suggested by the DRC. She said she is ready to vote for the four lanes and the Build Alternative. Councilor Wooten expressed her appreciation of the testimony presented, stating that she has spent many hours talking with interested and involved individuals. She said she supports the three-lane option of the ORC; therefore she hopes the council will consider postponement of the construction of the section west of Charnel ton Street until Phase 2 of the project. She stated that she has reser- vations on the four-lane weave option from High Street to Charnel ton Street and that she could not support the Build Alternative if some compromise could not be reached on the weave option. She felt that several issues in regard to MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 23, 1984 Page 21