06/27/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Regarding Mr. Holmer's suggestion for considering The Bon Marche as a poten- tial library site, Mr. Bennett said that in his understanding, the prelimi- nary structural analysis of The Bon Marche demonstrated that it would need even more reinforcement than the Sears building. The general sense of the council was that it was not interested in giving further consideration to The Bon Marche as a potential library site. At Mr. Holmer's request, Mr. Bowers said that $5.5 million is the estimated cost of parking at the Broadway/Charnelton site. This cost includes a full level of parking underground and 185 spaces on top. Additionally, operating costs would be approximately $60,000 less because of the elimination of one service desk. Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, Mr. Bowers said that the Parking Reserve Fund has less than $1.8 million. Mr. Rutan voiced support for including an estimate of the true costs of parking required at the Sears site into total library cost estimates. Ms. Bascom inquired about the possibility of making the Broadway/Charnelton site a Parking Exempt Zone. In response, Mr. Bowers said the Broadway/ Charnel ton site could be zoned parking-exempt if the council chose to do so. He cautioned that changing the zone would remove the legal problems associat- ed with zoning-mandated parking, but would not remove the actual parking problem. e Mr. Holmer indicated that although he will make a motion on library siting according to what he feels is the majority position of the council, he be- lieves that the existing library site on 13th Avenue and Olive Street is the most preferable library siting alternative. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to further consider the following site for a Eugene Public Library: the former Sears at 13th Avenue and Olive Street. Mr. Rutan noted that the council's ability to make a decision and recommenda- tion on library siting to Eugene citizens is a demonstration of its ability to take a much-needed leadership role within the community. Mr. Boles indicated that concurrent with the public information session on library siting, the City would also present a high-quality, representative diagram of design plans for the library at the Eugene Celebration. Mr. Rutan said that design alternatives which consider the development of possible leasable space on the site should also be included. He also re- quested information from staff on possible tax allocation funds which could be used to help finance library construction and a written appraisal of library value. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1990 Page 5