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of the many good things going on downtown. He said that many of the things happening were a <br />result of City actions. Mr. Carlson specifically noted the article's mention of the conversion of the <br />First Baptist Church to The Shedd, intended to house the Oregon Festival of American Music; the <br />housing project being contemplated next to the Centre Court Building; and the St. Vincent dePaul <br />multi-use project at Oak Street and East 11th Avenue. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Kurt Corey provided an update on the reopening of Broadway and an <br />update on the train depot renovation. He indicated the Broadway reopening was on schedule and <br />within budget. <br /> <br />Library, Recreation, and Cultural Services Director Angel Jones overviewed progress on the new <br />library. She indicated construction was two-thirds complete and the project was on time and <br />within its budget. Ms. Jones said that fund-raising was ongoing and on-target; the Library <br />Foundation had raised $5.2 million, and had transferred $3.7 million to the City. <br /> <br />Planning and Development Department Director Tom Coyle discussed the status of the federal <br />courthouse project. He said that staff anticipated that the plan for the area would be before the <br />council in July 2002. He further anticipated that construction on the courthouse would commence <br />in spring 2003. He believed that acquisition issues would all be addressed by fall 2002. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Mayor Torrey, Mr. Carlson said that the Request for Proposals for <br />the demolition of the Chiquita complex had been received and were being evaluated by staff. He <br />anticipated a contract would be let in 30 days. He said that demolition could not occur, however, <br />until the General Services Administration completed its historic review. <br /> <br />Police Chief Thad Buchanan noted the council's recent action to enable the construction of the <br />new Forensics and Property Control facility, which was part of the Downtown Space Plan and <br />related to the council's goal of fiscal accountability. He further noted the formation of the Graffiti <br />Task Force, a public-private partnership formed to address the problem of graffiti in Eugene. He <br />described some of the strategies on which the task force was focusing. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner asked Mr. Coyle to check into the status of the alley awnings downtown, which he <br />understood the Facilities Division had decided to retain without consulting with the Eugene Police <br />Department or Downtown Eugene, Inc. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson noted the impact of construction projects on businesses, and asked under what <br />circumstances the City would consider the cost of scheduling longer work days to get a project <br />done more quickly. Mr. Carlson indicated he would have to get back to Ms. Nathanson with a <br />more complete response, adding it was primarily a cost issue because overtime would increase a <br />project's costs. Ms. Nathanson suggested that reduced costs in other areas, such as equipment <br />storage costs, might help to mitigate the overtime costs. She said she would like to hear more <br />information about the topic. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Nathanson regarding whether a ceremonial move that might <br />involve the council was planned for the new library, Mr. Meisner indicated that a ritual book <br />transfer was being contemplated as part of the "soft opening." <br />Mr. Kelly requested a smaller version of the train depot diagram. He asked about the time line for <br />the project. Mr. Corey said that projections assume a time line of approximately two years. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 12, 2002 Page 2 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />