01/14/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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.. , "Establishing the Eugene Economic Development Committee for the City was a major accomplishment that addressed one of the Council's chief concerns. Exploring ways to bolster existing business and ~ industry and to attract new labor-intensive, clean industries to .., the community has headed the Council IS priority list for some time. The Committee represents not only the Council's commitment to economic development, but also represents a joint effort by a broad segment of the private sector to work with City government to bring about positive change in the community. liAs part of that economic development effort, the Council recently approved a proposal by the Springfield and Eugene chambers of com- merce to create a Convention Bureau that will serve the metro-region, developing the area's tourist and convention trade--again, a coopera- tive effort between government and private citizens to improve the economic base of the community. With the opening of the County's new convention facilities at the fairgrounds, convention trade will become increasingly important. And, of course, a major stimulus for increased attention to tourism is the Performing Arts Center that is under con- struction downtown. Last year it was just a bond issue on the ballot, and this year we can actually see the parking garage rising above ground. The facility, along with the adjacent hotel development being pursued by the City Housing and Community Conservation Department, is not only a giant stride for arts in Eugene but is also a positive step toward an economically healthy downtown. "With the new vitality stirring the central city and the Council's commit- ment to compact growth, downtown housing drew the Council's attention this year. We were able to zero in on many specific problems when the 4It condominium conversion issue came before us, and I am hopeful that the resulting study authorized by the Council will point toward creative long-range plans to provide a "ariety of downtown living alternatives. "Increased traffic is one of the growing pains felt in the central city and in the community at large. This year the Council, in cooperation with the Downtown Development Board, approved a large-scale paratransit and parking program designed to reduce the volume of employee vehicles downtown. They also approved updates to the T-2000 Plan approved in 1978 which provides guidelines for dealing with the city's vehicles and bicycles. Eugene is now listed on the six-year financing program of the State Department of Transportation and will now, hopefully, be able to complete some of the long-needed improvements to our transportation system that will serve all modes of travel. "0ne of the ma in reasons for t ra nsportat i on improvements and a lternat i ves is energy conservation. The Council recognized the need for city-wide conservation efforts, not only in transportation, but in all phases of community life. The energy task force that they created will be exploring largely new territory as it looks for ways to reduce energy consumption and costs. We all face lifestyle changes with some apprehension, but at the same time, it's exciting to think of Eugene pioneering in another frontier of modern urban living. e 1/14/80--4