03/04/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Ms. Ehrman noted that some downtown businesses will be disappointed when LTO leaves its current situation in that many riders frequent their stores as they pass through the area. Regarding Mr. Miller's belief that parking was the central issue, Ms. Loobey said that LTO will be required to pay for any parking that the new station usurps, but is not allowed to build supplemental parking. Mr. Brandt dis- agreed, believing that LTO was only obligated to pay for the land that it wanted to buy. He further believed that LTO should not have to provide park- ing just because it was building on the site. Having to pay for extra park- ing would make costs prohibitive. He noted that LTD was trying to alleviate parking problems by increasing ridership. Mr. Viggiano explained that the project is estimated to cost about $10.6 million, of which $800,000 will pay for damages to parking, $3 million will pay for about 200 underground parking spaces, and $2 million will pay for the land itself, including compensation for the building. Mr. Miller further responded to Mr. Brandt's concern, stating that LTO cannot undo the numerous relationships involved in loans taken out to build the nearby buildings. He added that parking is a key way to leverage funds. Mr. Gleason further responded that staff was working on revising the parking ordinance so that fewer parking spaces are required. The City may also work on having employers buy their employees' bus passes, although doing so would require more buses. One problem, however, is that a certain number of park- ing spaces is required in most building loans. There is also the point that in order to increase density in downtown Eugene, the number of parking spaces must also increase. Otherwise, developers would continue to move out of the area. In response to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Gleason said that rais- ing density by way of increasing the number of parking spaces is possible, but requires a commitment to increasing the tax increment district and legis- lation to allow such a district. Moreover, it would be easier to expand parking in small increments, thus facilitating the entire process. Mr. Boles noted that current parking structures are underutilized. Mr. Mill- er agreed, adding that the free parking zone has actually exacerbated the parking problem. In response to a question from Mr. Boles, Ms. Loobey said that rather than regroup the citizen advisory team, staff has been directed to continue the investigation of station siting internally. Mr. Nicholson believed that the issue of opening Willamette and/or Olive streets was minor compared to the LTD station siting issue. He also felt that the downtown redesign and Ferry Street Bridge issues would impact LTD, but were being discussed independently. Mr. Gleason disagreed, stating that the issues have been examined as a whole. The projects cannot be treated entirely as one, however, because they are financed separately. Mr. Rutan felt that if parking is taken away, there is a responsibility to replace it. The question is who should be responsible for replacing that parking. His greatest concern was that the station siting process not be slowed by the parking issue and that all parties concerned continue to cooperate. Mr. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 4, 1991 Page 3