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3. Hwy. 99/13ethel Urban Renewal District <br />Economic Development Planner Anne Fifield presented information on how Urban Renewal <br />districts can be used to achieve economic development goals, the potential for an Urban <br />Renewal district to generate revenue for reinvestment in the area, and the steps to establish <br />an Urban Renewal district. <br />Council Discussion: <br />• Councilor Evans - thanked staff for the presentation; referenced previous neighborhood <br />improvements 30-40 years ago and suggested every part of the economic development <br />toolbox should be used to leverage private and public investment; spoke about need for <br />economic development in the area as well as different ideas for development; spoke to <br />the need for investment and diversity in the city's economic development profile; urged <br />councilors to support development efforts. <br />• Councilor Semple - asked how the City would pay for services or needs initially paid for <br />by Bethel/Hwy. 99 overlapping taxing districts, when incremental tax dollars go to a <br />URD and how the system works; supported an alternative funding option to achieve <br />economic development in the area. <br />• Councilor Pryor - expressed his thoughts about why Hwy. 99 would require commitment <br />to put away money for development and spoke about the developments in recent decades; <br />said Hwy. 99 development is important for the city, regardless of the tool. <br />• Councilor Clark- spoke about using UR funds for private projects rather than public <br />projects; expressed concerns about UR in that district; commented on opportunities to <br />develop Hwy. 99 and desire to do something. <br />• Councilor Taylor - spoke to the attributes and history of urban renewal in Eugene; <br />suggested this tool be voted on by the public rather than the council. <br />• Councilor Syrett - thanked Councilor Evans for bringing this issue up for council <br />discussion; spoke about the opportunities for development and expressed interest in <br />further conversation; suggested potential funding strategies and opportunities; <br />expressed interest in studying funding mechanisms; supported including an end date <br />for this potential URD; expressed appreciation for Councilor Clark's comments <br />regarding private investments and supported the notion of a public vote for URD <br />designation. <br />• Councilor Zelenka - expressed appreciation for the report; reiterated support for <br />economic development efforts in the area but not using UR as a funding mechanism. <br />• Mayor Vinis - inquired about the dollar potential to leverage money through use of <br />other mechanisms; asked where this idea fits into the scope of other neighborhood <br />improvement efforts in the city. <br />• Councilor Pryor - asked what the UR funds would be used for, noting that <br />communication of this information would be integral to establishing a URD; expressed <br />desire to identify worthwhile projects. <br />• Councilor Evans - spoke about potential development at 'A Corners" area on Hwy. 99, <br />including multi -unit housing development; suggested investment in this location by the <br />City would demonstrate equity in funding and development decisions. <br />• Councilor Zelenka - expressed interest in learning about opportunities for other <br />economic development tools, how they might operate, and their potential to generate <br />funds; would like a project scope document for both the set-up of a URD in that area and <br />potential projects with scoping documents. <br />• Councilor Taylor - voiced concern about not establishing an end date for the URD; <br />spoke to private investments in the area. <br />• Mayor Vinis - reiterated idea of creating a full scope of options. <br />MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 15, 2019 Page 2 <br />Work Session <br />