02/17/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ Mr. Nicholson suggested that the council not avoid City involvement in downtown, but rather establish the boundaries of the City's involvement and the boundaries of private involvement. Mr. Miller said that the City does not have a design for the library. The question asked of voters was whether they wished to have the library at the Sears site. A preliminary design had been developed for that purpose. The council had envisioned a public design process for the actual library design. Responding to a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Gleason estimated that it would require about eight months to complete a public design for the library. Mr. Green indicated his sympathy for Mr. Bartel's position, but said that the council had committed itself to the Eugene Decisions process. Ms. Ehrman agreed with Mr. Bartel that many people were frustrated about the lack of progress for the library. She said that the public improvements proposed by the commission would generate attention for downtown and reinforce the City's commitment in the community's mind. Responding to Mr. Miller's suggestion to provide rest rooms in conjunction with the library, Ms. Ehrman pointed out that the construction of the library was some time off and the rest rooms were needed immediately. Mr. Rutan indicated his support for the commission's work program. He urged the council to be clear in its direction to the commission. e Responding to a question from Mr. Miller, Lew Bowers of the Planning and Development Department said that the council would have to make a decision by March 19 to include the opening of the street on the May 19 ballot. In order for the City to produce a voters' pamphlet, the council must take action by February 21. Mr. Boles pointed out that nothing precluded the City from conducting an advisory election at any point in time. Mr. Nicholson asked about the relationship of the street opening to access issues downtown. Chris Andersen, Director of Public Works, responded that Olive Street was not a major traffic carrier, and staff believed that the impact of opening the street would be minor. Mr. Bartel pointed out that the design had spoken to the issues of alternate modes and had been developed in conjunction with Public Works Department staff. Mr. Nicholson responded that the design had been done in conjunction with a plan to open Willamette Street as well, which might affect its relationship to other streets. Mr. McDonald moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to direct the Downtown Commission to return to the council within 30 days with a project design for the opening of Olive Street. Ms. Andersen said that the City currently has a conceptual, rather than a detailed, design for the street reopening. Survey data and information about e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1992 Page 3