10/23/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Responding to a Question from Ms. Wooten, Ms. Decker said the Master Plan e indicates the EWEB office building will be on the riverfront east of Fourth Avenue and parking lots will be located at 4th Avenue and High Street. However, the EWEB Board of Directors may respond to City concerns about the parking lots. Reviewing the staff recommendations in the staff notes, Ms. Decker said the relationship of the EWEB office building to the public plaza can be addressed in the Willamette Greeway conditional use process. She said the second pedestrian access to the river will also provide access to the Fifth Street Market area. The staff recommendations indicate that the Midgleys Building should be retained as long as possible andt when more parking is needed, a parking structure which will also provide parking for the Fifth Street area should be constructed. She recommended the council forward the EWEB Master Plan supporting the company's continued operation at the existing site and construction of an office building and other facilities that can contribute to riverfront development. She suggested the council add a comment recognizing the value of the historic Mill and Elevator Building. Answering questions from Ms. Wooten and Ms. Bascomt Ms. Decker said 6 1/2 acres east of the EWEB property are owned by the University of Oregon and leased to EWEB. The land will be used for the Riverfront Park. Provisions for opening the mill race are not included in the EWEB Master Plan, although they are included in the Downtown Plan. They will have to be addressed at a later time or in another way. e Responding to questions from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Decker and Mr. Saul said the EWEB property goes to the Ferry Street Bridge, but the City owns some property between the Ferry Street Bridge and the overpass. Answering a question from Mr. Hansent Mr. Brown said EWEB now has 417 employees. It must also provide parking for about 100 EWEB vehicles. Responding to a Question from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Gleason said the EWEB Master Plan is a 50-year plan. It involves an $11 million investment. If the council thinks that EWEB operations are not the highest and best use of the property, council members should indicate it now. In that case, EWEB officials will probably decide not to make a large investment in the property. The staff recommends that EWEB stay at the existing site. EWEB officials have made the accommodations needed. There is not much room on the site for changes. If many changes are requested, EWEB representatives will probably have to reconsider the whole plan. Responding to a question from Mayor Obie, Ms. Decker reviewed the pedestrian walkways and bikeways to the riverfront. Beginning councilors' comments, Ms. Bascom said the bikeway would not have been completed without the cooperation of EWEB officials. She hoped EWEB officials would cooperate with efforts to eliminate the wildness along the river bank. She said a manicured look would add to the usefulness and accessibility of the river bank. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 23, 1985 Page 6