01/28/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e - Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. Jon Silvermoon, 2440 Madison, discussed the Library/Office Space Feasibility Study and the opening of Willamette Street from 10th Avenue to 11th Avenue. Last year the expansion and/or relocation of the library and the acquisition of additional office for City Hall were separate projects. The Council should consider the expansion of the library at its present site and/or relocation at another site as an equal possibility. Mr. Silvermoon felt the present site of the library is its best location. Mr. Silvermoon was concerned about the impact of opening Willamette Street on the Lane Transit District (LTD) Transfer Facility and said the decision to open Willamette Street seemed to indicate the City is backpedaling in its commitment to alternatives to the automobile. He suggested the social impact of two-way traffic on Willamette Street from 11th Avenue to 20th Avenue be included in the proposed study. The City should plan for the impact on surrounding neighborhoods because "the gut" will probably stretch from 11th Avenue to 29th Avenue if Willamette street becomes two-way. Commenting on other projects, Mr. Silvermoon hoped the play structures in the mall will not be removed; he thinks a stairway on Skinner Butte will diminish its attractiveness; and he thinks improvements are needed at the 24th and Willamette and 24th and Amazon Parkway intersections. Roger Neustadter, 1690 McLean, represented the chair of the Downtown Com- mission and expressed the commission's concern about the separation of the opening of Willamette Street between 10th and 11th avenues from the con- verting of Willamette Street to two-way traffic between 11th and 20th avenues. The two projects should be implemented at the same time. If Willamette Street is two-way from 10th and 11th and one-way from 11th to 20th, the benefit of the opening will be damaged. He reviewed the provi- sions for the projects in the CIP and strongly urged that the two projects be linked in FY 1985-86. Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Councilors wished to discuss the CIP in detail at a work session. Mr. Whitlow said the next budget must be prepared soon, but it can be changed after Council action on the CIP. Mayor Obie understood the Council wanted to discuss a change in the capital improvements to reflect the Council IS interest in such projects as development of the riverfront, the downtown, and at the airport, as outlined in the Eugene agenda. He asked that a work session be scheduled on this topic. Mr. Gleason said the staff will present options to the Council. Responding to a request from Mayor Obie, Mr. Gleason said the CIP presents estimated revenues and indicates what capital projects can be accomplished with those revenues. It directs budget decisions about capital improve- ments. He emphasized that revenue-sharing funds are the most flexible for capital projects. About $1 million in revenue-sharing funds will be discre- tionary this year. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 28, 1985 Page 2