Item B: Joint Meeting with EWEB to Discuss Riverfront Property

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Joint Work Session: Discussion of Planning Process for Eugene Water & Electric Board Riverfront Property Meeting Date: February 12, 2007 Agenda Item Number: B City of Eugene Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Angel Jones www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5336 Eugene Water and Electric Board: Staff Contact: Debra Smith www.eweb.org Contact Telephone Number: 484-2411, ext 3102 ISSUE STATEMENT During a joint meeting of Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) Commissioners and City Council at EWEB on November 15, 2006, elected officials from the City and EWEB identified the need for additional opportunities to discuss current and emerging issues, such as the future of the EWEB riverfront site. This agenda item summary provides information regarding ongoing efforts to plan for the future of the EWEB riverfront property, a key site in our downtown. The AIS has been prepared by staff from the City of Eugene and EWEB. BACKGROUND Discussions concerning the redevelopment of the EWEB riverfront site have been ongoing for many years. (See Attachment A for a map of EWEB riverfront property holdings.) In 1997, prompted by studies indicating the need to upgrade the operations buildings to meet earthquake standards, EWEB authorized an economic cost analysis of retaining utility operations and administration on the current site versus complete or partial relocation. Based on the study’s conclusions, EWEB initiated steps to purchase property and relocate the utility facility. In 1999, the City began work on the Downtown Vision, with representation from EWEB as one of the key stakeholders. Incorporating significant public participation, the Downtown Vision promotes an enhanced connection between downtown and the river and some level of urban development along the riverfront. Building upon the vision, in 2004, City Council adopted the Downtown Plan. The plan calls for the creation of a master plan before the EWEB riverfront property can be redeveloped for a non- utility purpose, and includes criteria for the approval of that master plan. Also in 2004, the EWEB Board authorized the purchase of 47 acres along Roosevelt Boulevard. In 2006, EWEB began to develop the preliminary design and cost estimates necessary to move utility operations to the new site. Space has been reserved on the site for the possible relocation of EWEB’s administration. EWEB staff and the City’s Planning and Development staff have worked together since 2004 on strategies to address the redevelopment and reuse of the EWEB riverfront property. The primary concerns are planning issues (including land use applications required for redevelopment), sale of the EWEB property, and the master planning process and timing implications, as discussed below. L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070212\S070212B.doc