05/28/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Fahs stated they intend to begin construction on July 1. The Hilton ~ Hotel will be a 12-story structure with 284 rooms and a rooftop restaur- .., ant and bar. The main floor will have limited shop space with another bar connected to the conference center. The City has undertaken construc- tion of the conference center of about 35,000 square feet which will pro- vide meeting room space for the hotel. This is a $15.5.million project and Vik/Cannon Construction will be the firmsdealing with this project. They hope to be open in 1982. Mr. Fahs showed a model of the proposed Hilton Hotel/Conference Center. Mr. Lieuallen asked if the model accurately indicated the way that facility would look. Mr. Fahs responded it was very comparable as the construction document is complete and bids will be received in mid-June. Mr. Lieuallen asked about parking. Mr. Fahs responded it would be underground; that it would be bermed and landscaped. Ms. Smith asked if there would be space for meetings. Mr. Fahs responded there would be five small meeting rooms on the 5th floor, but the majority of the meeting space would be available in the convention center. She asked if the convention center would need to use the food service provided by the hotel. Mr. Fahs responded that they would not necessarily have to do so. Ms. Smith stated there was a real need to coordinate use of the hotel and the center. Mr. Lieuallen asked what impact the hotel has on obscuring the view of the butte from downtown. Mr. Fahs stated they have tried to preserve that view. Mayor Keller noted that expansion plans have been considered in the ~. design process and asked Mr. Fahs to point them out. He did so and showed where, in the fifth year of operation, they could expand the hotel to a total of 475 to 500 rooms. Mayor Keller noted the need in Eugene for lunch meeting facilities. Mr. Fahs responded that the convention center could be used with the kitchen facilities from the hotel which would provide four main meeting areas. One of these could be divided into three smaller areas plus the junior ballroom which would provide four meeting areas, one of which could be divided in half, providing a total of 11 rooms. Mayor Keller asked if he sees the hotel's convention use as being in conflict with weekly meeting schedules. Mr. Fahs responded everything would be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Mr. Lieuallen asked for a brief overview of the main issues yet to be resolved. Mr. Fahs responded that it is a jointly developed project and no major unresolved issues are seen. He thinks a good job has been done to benefit the City and the corporation. July 1, 1981, will be the ground- breaking for the center. Ms. Smith noted her appreciation for the efforts put forth toward making a viable downtown hotel facility. Mr. Henry introduced Dick Reynolds, new Director of the Performing Arts Center, who began May 1, 1980, and will be in charge of the conference . 5/28/80--8