Council Packet 4-10-19 Work Session

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Parking: The east end of downtown has seen significant redevelopment in recent years, including the Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse, Northwest Community Credit Union, Sam Bond’s Brewing in the Foundry Building, and the Hub apartment building. Activities in this area have already overtaxed available parking. The WDA concept plan has tuck under parking to serve the needs of the private redevelopment and on street parking is anticipated to serve the needs of accessing public amenities, such as the Park. Parking that currently serves Credit Union employees will be replaced with improvements for the Quiet Zone and to access the Downtown Riverfront at 8th and Hilyard; the Steam Plant parcel is not likely of sufficient in size to accommodate parking needs for its future redevelopment. In addition to a parking study, public/private partnership opportunities may need to be identified to address this critical issue, both for the Downtown Riverfront as well as nearby redevelopment sites. EWEB Headquarters: On November 13, 2018, Council directed the City Manager to exercise the City’s authority under E.C. 2.196 for the purpose of negotiating to acquire, for non-City Hall purposes, the property included in EWEB’s November 7, 2018, notice of surplus declaration. Staff will be scheduling an executive session for Council to discuss the building for the near future. The building is strategically located adjacent to the Downtown Riverfront redevelopment and its future use will play an important role in contributing to the activity and vibrancy of the area. B. Opportunities Elsewhere in the Riverfront District This initial list of District opportunities are either in the early planning stage or simply have potential for possible future investments and have not been completely investigated or vetted. The list is not intended to be inclusive of all future opportunities and there may be currently unforeseen projects that reveal themselves during the life of the District. Specific capital investments may require City Council/Agency Board action in the future and will be presented at the appropriate time. Willamette to Willamette Plan: With the long-held goal of transforming 8th Avenue into a place of civic importance and an inviting and walkable connection to the river, staff are working to support private and public redevelopment to bring value and activity to this area. The Downtown Plan identifies 8th Avenue as a Great Street, between Willamette Street and the Willamette River. In 2006, infrastructure improvements along 8th were put in place to provide a walkable connection across Mill Street. Since the Downtown Plan’s approval, new projects have supported the efforts for walkable, dense, mixed-use development on the east end of downtown, including the Downtown Riverfront redevelopment, the Wayne Morse Federal Courthouse, the Park Blocks, Whole Foods, and the various smaller private investments in the Courthouse District. Staff are exploring the process of reintroducing two-way traffic on 8th Avenue, in addition to other design changes to create a street that is comfortable for walking and biking between downtown and the river. Shared Use Path East of the Frohnmayer Bridge: In order to continue the shared use path connection east of the Frohnmayer Bridge, there is a potential funding need for improving the on-street connections (Millrace Drive & Garden Avenue). Due to high April 10, 2019, Work Session – Item 2