07/19/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public hearing was opened. James Aday, 754 West 12th, expressed support for the process as outlined - in the staff's memo. He expressed concern regarding community input in the development of the operation and the choice of the architect, and expressed support of the sound ideas from staff in that regard. The architect selection process under staff Alternate B was his choice, noting the Civic Center Commission should be actively involved but the Council should have final approval. He again expressed concern regarding community involvement in the whole development program and usage and philosophy. Jim Williams, Arts Alliance Representative, 2083 Garfield, had a statement unanimously adopted by 35 members of the various local arts organizations. The Arts Alliance recommended reconstitution of the Civic Center Commis- sion to 11 members representing the performing arts community. Regarding the selection of an architect, he felt the Commission should be reconsti- tuted so it is representative of the variety of artists from the community. Criteria to be used for selecting the architect should include a distinct program for receiving public input regarding the specific design of the facility as it affects artists. He felt the members of the Commission should be those with a very real commitment to work, and those with a good attendance record. Criteria for the architect selection should be made specific to the artists' input. Steven Wood, 971 West 10th Avenue, represented the Willamette Community Design Center and entered a prepared statement into the record. He said this project was very important to the City and noted the long-term e investment is very critical in terms of the design and construction. The staff recommendation to involve an expert is a good one. Criteria them- selves need more direction from the City Councilor Commission as to what kinds of things should be emphasized, i.e., public involvement. Robert Harris, 1750 Kona, represented the Architect Selection Committee of the local chapter of the AlA. Regarding the issue of a local/national architect, he said Council was faced with the issue of obtaining the best expert advice and linking that to local expert advice. Proposals should be reviewed to ensure those that seem qualified assure the Council that they have expert experience regarding theater design. He said if the same 27 proposals were used, he believed those proposals ought to be reviewed as they had been received last year and not separated or adjusted. He estimated only three weeks time needed for submitting invitations and gathering new proposals, and he felt it would be more appropriate to proceed in this manner. Regarding the architect/consultant working relationship, he felt the consultant should be hired by the prime architect with the Councilor Commission's approval. The selection committee as proposed seemed satisfactory if the members of the Commission represent the principle users of the facility. He supported the suggested use of a professional consultant to the screening committee. He raised the question of management of the bonds, and suggested perhaps investment of those funds while waiting for this process to be completed. In this manner Council would not feel it had to act expediently and perhaps tend to disallow some public input in the process in order to save money. - 7/19/78--8 5~ I