04/09/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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David Lunney, Oregon Repertory Theater, supported the Civic Center ~omm'ss'on's proposal and requested that the City proceed with the project. He felt this will be a building of international stature. However, he requested that the number of seats remain ~ at an optimum level. He said if it were necessary for the interest bond money to be used to make the best facility possible, then he felt that should be done. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Ms. Smith asked for clarification regarding the vacation of Willamette Street. She wondered if it were appropriate for that to be addressed now or later. Mr. Pfeiffer replied there is a contract with the City to investigate the two-block site. He said it might be best for consideration to be given to the street vacation after consideration of a possible hotel/convention complex on the other block. The Traffic Department has reviewed the two-block plan and has made their recommendations to the Civic Center Commission. He said there may be need for futher development of Willamette: 1) Whether the easterly black remains vacant, and 2) whether it is developed. Further direc- tion from the Council will be requested at a later time. Ms. Schue expressed concern that perhaps this request for $20.3 million may not be enough either to develop the project, and ques- tioned then what would the Councilor City do. Ed Smith, Civic Center Project Director, said he could give no guarantees that it would be less or more than that amount. However, he did feel very confident with the Todd Construction estimates. He said the figures are pretty firm and felt that that construction company would do the job within the estimated range. He said there were hopes for donations and had some indications from people in the community who will be willing to contribute to the project; however, he reiterated he could give no positive guarantees. . Ms. McGillvary noted for Council that Todd Construction Co. is one of the best in the state of Oregon. Manager noted for Ms. Schue that it is possible some of the interest money could be held back. He noted that under Recommendation 2 (1, 2) probably should be acted upon and authorized up to that point, which would amount to $1,930,000. It is estimated there will be approximately $2.5 million interest money available. To that extent, he said approximately $600,000 could be held back. Items 3, 4, 5, and 6 under Recommendation 2 could be dealt with in six months' time. Mr. Winn reminded Council it was proceeding under a construction management approach. Cooperation already has been ongoing with the architects to develop the estimates through the schematic designs. Each element of the design will be scrutinized closely to make sure it will come within the alloted amount of money. :~~ ~~ 4/9/79--8 rFj" ~~ ;:-.:~ ~~~it. \9'1