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<br />e <br /> <br />M I NUT E S <br /> <br />Eugene City C~uncil <br />BJ's Restaurant--44 East 7th Avenue <br /> <br />March 12, 1990 <br />5:30 p.m. <br /> <br />COUNCILORS PRESENT: Emily Schue, Ruth Bascom, Shawn Boles, Bobby Green, <br />Freeman Holmer, Roger Rutan. <br /> <br />COUNCILORS ABSENT: Rob Bennett and Debra Ehrman. <br /> <br />The regular meeting of March 12, 1990, of the Eugene City Council was called <br />to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. <br /> <br />I. REPORT ON VARIOUS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS <br /> <br />Abe Farkas, Planning and Development Department, summarized the process that <br />would be followed for this session. Lew Bowers, Planning and Development <br />Department, provided the council with a listing of the City's key downtown <br />projects and a timetable for project completion. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />A. Tiffany Building <br /> <br />Mr. Bowers informed the council that the City has been in discussion with the <br />owner of the Tiffany Building on a regular basis. He indicated that the <br />owner is continuing negotiations with a variety of private developers and, <br />although no specific time line has been set, the City is optimistic that <br />project initiation will take place sometime soon in the future. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Bowers said that the Tiffany <br />Building is on the Historical Register, which may be a financial asset in <br />terms of tax credit assistance for development and should not hinder any <br />development opportunities. <br /> <br />Mr. Holmer voiced concern that the investment needed to satisfy Federal <br />requirements for historic preservation might be greater than the potential <br />benefits gained in working through the process, and suggested that the City <br />consider removal of historic preservation status, which seems to be an <br />obstacle to redevelopment. Mr. Farkas indicated that historic preservation <br />status does provide tax credits for historic renovation. The status does <br />not prevent demolition if renovation is not possible, but does establish a <br />rigorous review process before demolition can be approved. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Mr. Bowers explained that the City's first priority with this project is to <br />work with the existing owner to stimulate private development on this site. <br />The City could pursue condemnation, if the Urban Renewal Aging felt this to <br />be the most productive route to building development. Mr. Boles expressed <br />frustration with the amount of time the City has already committed to this <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br />Dinner/Work Session <br /> <br />March 12, 1990 <br /> <br />Page 1 <br />