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<br /> , <br />Oregon and does not expect economic recovery to happen soon. There are some <br />operational concerns that also need to be dealt with such as the economic impact . <br />on Eugene. He just returned from a trip from the Riverwalk project in San <br />Antonio. He feels a project like this cannot be done without cooperation <br />between public and private sector; intense intergovernmental cooperation must <br />occur and a comprehensive analysis of financing should occur. Without these <br />factors, the project in San Antonio would not have occurred. Vehicular and <br />pedestrian traffic ~ust be considered. He feels the level of staffing support <br />and funding should be determined prior to approval of this resolution: A <br />financial commitment is necessary. <br />Laverne Edwards, 1260 President, stated that she is protesting another committee <br />being fonned in the City of Eugene. There are no staff notes available to the <br />public so there is no way of knowing what is being voted on. She resents the <br />fact that the Emerald Canal group contacted other groups without going to the <br />public. She resents the fact that L-COG has been involved. When HUD grants are <br />available, they are processed through L-COG. With Mr. Rosenthal on the board, <br />it is difficult to achieve impartiality. She added that there has been higher <br />crime in San Antonio since their canal was built. The canals in Europe are for <br />commercial purposes, and they have had problems with them, especially in Yoder. <br />This project cannot be compared to the other canals: She asked if the cost of <br />staffing and attorney's fees to the community have been discussed. She also <br />asked about the financing of the Metropolitan Wastewater Plant. Joint >committees <br />between agenc i es do not seem to be work i nq too well. Property condemnation and <br />legal battles, as well as traffic disruptions, need to be considered, especially <br />in light of the MWMC traffic disruptions. Costs would be high. This is a fine <br />dream, but costs should be considered. This would reopen a culvert closed by . <br />previous City Council action so that the City could pave streets. She feels that <br />additional consideration should be gtven to this ite~ and the disruptions ,it <br />would cause. However, if a committee is formed to study this project, it should <br />be balanced by those for the project and those against so that a compromise can <br />be reached. She would like to see staff time for Xeroxing and other areas of <br />support available for both sides. In the downtown area, the only serious effort <br />has been on the Eugene Performing Arts Center. <br />Since there were no other speakers in opposition and additional time remained, <br />the chair ruled that additional speakers in favor could speak. <br />Jay Goldstein, 1210 West 13th Avenue, stated that he had written a letter to the <br />counc i 1 . He feels this had been a visionary project, but he feels that it is <br />now an idea whose time has come. There are broad benefits and diverse groups <br />involved in this project. The care taken in planning to include neighborhood <br />groups has been very good. He urged that the council share the vision of what <br />the canal could do. <br />Donald Zadoff, 2375 University, stated that the mall is very attractive, but it <br />needs people on lt who are attracted by the amenities and the canal would <br />attract more people. The mall should be a place of congregation for people to <br />shop and to be entertained. The potential for downtown housing would bring life <br />into the mall and make it a place to be proud of. He feels this project would <br />enhance the commun ity. <br />Mr. Haws returned to the meeting. . <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 27, 1981 Page 10 <br />