Agenda Packet 9-23-19 Work Session

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September 23, 2019, Work Session – Item 2 EUGENE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY BOARD AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Work Session and Action: Downtown Riverfront Development— Williams & Dame Associates’ Concept Plan Meeting Date: September 23, 2019 Agenda Item: 2 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Michael Kinnison www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5500 ISSUE STATEMENT At this work session, staff will provide an update on the Downtown Riverfront project, including the park, site preparation and infrastructure work. The Agency Board is also asked to review and take action on proposed changes to the Downtown Riverfront concept plan from Williams & Dame Associates (see Attachment A). BACKGROUND The Agency Board’s discussion of Downtown Riverfront redevelopment is part of a decades-long community planning and visioning effort to connect downtown to the river. The agency purchased about 17 acres of largely vacant Downtown Riverfront property from the Eugene Water & Electric Board in April 2018. On January 24, 2019, the agency signed a Disposition and Development Agreement with WDA. The City purchased the park for one dollar in December 2018 and has since begun work on grading and riverbank enhancement. Park construction will continue in 2020 with full development of park amenities including viewing platforms, public art, a realigned bike path, and more, to realize the community’s vision of an urban riverfront park balanced by habitat enhancements and river conservation. Park Update This summer, construction crews have been preparing the site for the Downtown Riverfront Park, including utility relocation and riparian and bank enhancement work. The existing steep, cliff-like riverbank is being recontoured in places to provide a more natural slope improving views and allowing closer access to the river. Non-native vegetation and trees are being removed and will be replaced this fall and winter with over 20,000 native species of live stakes, shrubs, and bulbs. Park construction will continue next spring and summer with completion anticipated by the end of the 2020 calendar year. Site Preparation Site preparation is well underway, including riverbank restoration/riparian enhancement and contouring (grading) the site to accommodate the park, streets, utilities, and buildings. Contractors have been working throughout the spring and summer to prepare the site for the