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Mr. Farr asked about the impact of the depot project on the parking supply available to the Oregon <br />Electric Station. He expressed concern that the project would eliminate needed parking that now <br />served the restaurant, which was a popular establishment that brought many people to downtown. <br />Mr. Corey said that there was considerable misinformation about the potential impact of the <br />project on the restaurant. He did not know if the fears being expressed about the loss of parking <br />would be borne out. He believed that the City needed to get better information to the owners of <br />the restaurant so they had a better understanding of what was being contemplated. Mr. Meisner <br />said that the depot plan was a comprehensive, long-range plan that would be phased over time. <br />The North End Scoping Group recognized the need for the City to partner in the construction of <br />parking structures in the north end to serve the area as part of that plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Farr said he did not want to lose the potential of being able to close Broadway and Willamette <br />Street to vehicular traffic to accommodate the Farmers Market, which also brought people to <br />downtown. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Bettman regarding the impact of the reopened Broadway on <br />the neighborhoods to the west of downtown, Mr. Corey described the street design and indicated <br />that it was intended to control speeds and discourage through traffic. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap8 said he favored a transit center somewhere in downtown. He said he had been <br />contacted by property owners in the area of the train depot concerned about how the station area <br />would be developed. At Mr. PapS's request, Mr. Corey pointed out the area around the station for <br />which the council had authorized condemnation. Mr. Pap8 asked if a substantial number of <br />parking spaces would be lost. Mr. Corey said that some spaces would be lost. Mr. Pap8 <br />suggested the potential that another site for the bus terminal could be found somewhere in the <br />same area. Mr. Meisner said that Amtrak also operated a bus system, and would be sharing stalls <br />with Greyhound at the new terminal. He said that federal regulations stipulate that the Amtrak bus <br />facility must be at the same location as the train station because of ticketing needs. Mr. Pap8 <br />encouraged staff to look at other options. <br /> <br />Mr. Rayor asked about the public involvement associated with the train depot planning process, <br />and about the involvement of the adjacent property owners. Ms. Nathanson said the North End <br />Scoping Group met for about two years, at all times in public sessions, and the group's final <br />report, which was adopted by the City Council, had identified several objectives and goals that <br />included the additional parking under discussion. She suggested that the relevant issue might <br />actually be the timing of the parking to be constructed. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner noted that one of the property owners being referred to had participated as a member <br />on the North End Scoping Group. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly said that, with regard to the train depot, people should keep in mind the big picture and <br />the community gain from the project. It was his understanding that the parking issue was created <br />not by the bus terminal, but by the extension of Oak Street. He believed that the issues of <br />concern could be worked out. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly concurred with Mr. Farr's remarks regarding the Farmers Market, and complimented <br />Lane County for the improvements it made to the Parks Blocks to accommodate the market. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 12, 2002 Page 3 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />