11/23/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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, , Bob Hibschman, Planning and Development Department, stated that the Downtown Commission strongly recommended that the City Council address downtown parking . needs through structured parking. The commission also recommended that staff work on a potential design for the lOth Avenue Corridor, enter into an option agr'eement with LTD for two parcels of land, and mitigate the loss of parking caused by LTD's new downtown transit station with the construction of struc- tured parking. The commission expressed no preference on the alternatives for structured parking. Mr. MacDonald inquired about an pption D that the Downtown Commission did not favor. Scott Lue11, Planning and Development Department, responded that it would not provide structured parking, instead absorbing the changes within the existing system. In response to Mr. Boles, Mr. Hibschman stated that when buses move to an off- street location, 10th Avenue would need pedestrian improvements complementing the new transit station and recent improvements to Olive Street. Stefano Viggiano, Lane Transit District staff, provided an update on LTD's feasibility study of a downtown shuttle. He said the study would be completed in February. Shuttles in approximately 30 similar-sized communities have been surveyed, about 12 of them like that proposed for Eugene. LTD staff has created a potential design for the shuttle route and will survey potential downtown users, identify the appropriate vehicle, and investigate cost, funding opportunities, and demand. Mr. Viggi~no displayed the proposed route, which connects the University of . Oregon with the downtown, 5th Street Public Market, and the Library in a loop taking about 20 minutes. He pointed out that the route does not cover the midtown area between 11th and 18th avenues. It is not conceived as a park- and-ride shuttle, although that model will also be investigated and a combined system is possible. In response to Mr. Miller, Mr. Viggiano said that the shuttle, if it proves feasible, will probably not alleviate the need for further structured parking downtown. ~e said the most important factor in encouraging use of alternative modes is a high density of development and employment downtown. Mr. Miller said that a park-and-ride facility at Autzen Stadium or on River Road would do more to reduce the demand for downtown parking than the shuttle by itself. Mr. Viggiano added that the market for the shuttle is not current bus riders. Mr. Nicholson suggested that a policy of high downtown parking rates combined with low- or no-cost park-and-ride facilities would reduce demand. Mr. Viggiano responded that it might cause developers to relocate, reducing downtown density. He said at least 20 park-and-ride facilities are already in place along regular bus routes, many making use of church or restaurant parking lots. Mr. Nicholson said the parking policy would have to be accompa- nied by appropriate land use policies. He added it is likely that adequate downtown density would require shifting some parking outside the core. Mr. Boles agreed that only comprehensive policies to increase utilization of MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 23, 1992 Page 2 . 5:30 p.m.