02/11/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ms. Schue pointed out that a study of the impacts on intersections of the conversion should be done before the council considers the conversion. Answering a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Lynch said the preliminary report from the task force on the opening of Willamette Street and the design alter- natives could be sent to councilors. Responding to a question from Councilor Wooten, Mr. Lynch said councilors may comment on the proposed design of Willamette Street to downtown commissioners or to staff at any time. The project will cost about $400,000. Ms. Wooten was concerned about the misunderstanding in the community regarding the source of the funds for the project, noting that the general fund will not be used. Replying to a question from Ms. Bennett, Mr. Gleason said the CIP is a recom- mendation about capital projects to the Budget Committee. The council will act on the CIP in late February. A final decision on the budget is made in July. II. DOWNTOWN RETAIL DEVELOPMENT Mr. Schwartz reviewed the history of downtown retail development projects. He said the Downtown Commission had been working on the proposed Price Devel- opment project for approximately two years. He introduced Lloyd LeBlanc, the City's economic planning consultant on the project, who had submitted a report titled "Markets & Services in Downtown Eugene" in October 1984. Mr. LeBlanc reviewed his background, experience, and qualifications. He had been asked to help define the potential for downtown if the 1976 policy to increase downtown retail development and vitality was purusued. He noted that retail potential could be between $50 million and $80 million and between 3,500 and 5,500 new office employees in the next ten years if the Eugene downtown received the same share of Lane County business it received in the last ten years. He said the important things to consider in assessing a development proposal are: Does it fit? Does it have market support? And: What does the community have to do? Mr. LeBlanc said the proposal from Price Development Company is reasonable. The preliminary evaluation was carefully done and will undoubtedly be modi- fied further, but it is worth pursuing. When a development agreement is signed, the proposal will be more serious. The Downtown Plan will provide guidance in evaluating the development proposal. Mr. LeBlanc hoped the City would get ahead of the process, so the community can respond rapidly to the proposal. The developers will want the City to provide parking improve- ments. The development will substantially affect the activity level in the downtown. Answering a question from Councilor Hansen, Mr. LeBlanc said his forecasts were based on statistics from L-COG and other local agencies. They assume the downtown will maintain its share of growth. The downtown has suffered from the perception that it is more costly andlor difficult to locate down- town. The Downtown Plan, the resolution of the parking issue, actions of the MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session February 11, 1985 Page 2 at e' .~