04/09/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. did not think the hall should be built with less than 2,500 seats, as he noted artists are not willing to book into an area for less than that number. He said the parking structure as designed is aesthetically displeasing, as there would be very little green space left and too much concrete. He did not feel parking to be a major item in the project. He felt the east side could be developed later to provide parking. Dan Childress, 767 Willamette, a member of the Downtown Develop- ment Board, felt that if the City had proposed even a $24 million bond issue, the voters probably would have approved it. However, he did feel it was unfortunate that the City found itself in the present position regarding the project. He was in favor of finding extra funds to produce the project as presented. Regarding parking, he shared the concern that there be adequate parking on the site and noted that parking is a very difficult situation in that part of town. He would like to see a parking garage designed properly and favored one that would look more like the Parcade. - Ted Hurd, 2720 Filmore, said he was for the Civic Center:Project. However, he addressed many concerns in the manner the project has developed. He spoke of honesty, integrity, commitment, professional ethics, credibility, or lack of any/all of the above. He submitted that the design has not yet been approved as reported in the Register- Guard, but that the Eugene voters approved only the cost of a civic center auditorium to cost no more than $18.5 million. He felt the voters of Eugene, by their approval of the bond issue, said they wanted a project for $18.5 million, and that was the limit. He submitted that the estimates came before the design, so he questioned that perhaps the design is inadequate. The $18.5 million was and remains an important part of the goal approved and authorized by the Eugene voters. He felt that amount of money was a pretty definite number to the voters. He said the architects were still unsure and uncertain about the details of what this money will buy. He felt the use of interest on the bond sales to be unethical, unfair, and dishonest. Any increase over the $18.5 million approved by the voters will probably be challenged in the courts, which could affect the total program. He questioned the wisdom of people who have shown to date their lack of understanding of the voters of Eugene, who said by their vote, the) wanted the project for no more than $18.5 million. He said the Council should not, and could not, in good conscience, proceed under these circumstances. He felt the City was obligated to follow the program as approved by the voters, as that was the only honest way to proceed. / Philip Berg, 2900 Harris Street, felt the project was supported by a minority of the population in Eugene. Any minority group could, with hard work, get a bond issue passed for their favorite projects. He said the voters were told the bond issue would be ample and $18.5 million would be the limit of expenditures. He did not feel the increased cost of the project could be blamed on inflation, and felt it unfair for the City to ask the taxpayers to pay for mistakes. He said the City, if it did increase the cost of the project, would be breaking faith with the taxpayers and would cause a deterioration in the credibility of the City government. _. 4/9/79--7 1~8