10.14.2019 City Council Work Session Minutes

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3. WORK SESSION: Riverfront and Downtown Urban Renewal Overview Planning and Development Director Denny Braud and Community Development Director Michael Kinnison provided a high-level overview of projects in two urban renewal districts. Council Discussion • Councilor Taylor - Supported the use of the Montgomery Ward Building as a day center and homeless shelter; inquired about and discussed the cost of each quiet zone; expressed appreciation for discussions with a local business owner about opening the walls of buildings he owns near Kesey Square. • Councilor Syrett- Asked if, in upcoming agenda materials, staff could provide for each urban renewal district the related cost of each project as well as current capacity of district; discussed the difference between the current idea for use of the LCC building as compared to previous direction given by the URA board; asked if the board would need to take action if visions change; expressed appreciation for vision of workforce housing in that space but need to ensure the board is in compliance with previous approvals. • Councilor Zelenka - Asked how the downtown high-speed fiber service area was determined; reiterated Councilor Syrett's comments regarding the difference in vision of innovation space versus workforce housing; inquired about upcoming conversations about the Town Square; raised concerns about the timing of development of Town Square and City Hall and expressed his desire to discuss City Hall funding strategies. • Councilor Clark- Discussed desire of staff to incorporate needs of public in development of market square space; reiterated Councilor Zelenka's comments about the high-speed fiber connections and inquired about the next steps for expanding the footprint of high-speed fiber development; discussed use of private public partnerships in development and expansion of the fiber optics technology. • Councilor Pryor - Discussed list of questions related to needs, capacity, and timelines of the proposed projects. • Councilor Syrett - Reiterated Councilor Clark's comments about building out the fiber optic network; discussed next steps of developments and expressed concerns about equity of developments in certain areas of town. • Councilor Zelenka - Appreciated Councilor Syrett's comments about equity, inquired about service of fiber within a particular area; discussed intentions for initial infrastructure to serve high speed fiber and challenges in development; inquired about the slide showcasing upload and download speed of high-speed fiber optics in downtown; discussed the impact of high- speed internet connection on economy and employment. • Councilor Clark- Discussed downtown developments and successes, including historical amenities that enabled cities to succeed; discussed idea of leveraging this tool to increase success of city, especially in underdeveloped areas and expressed desire to hear more. • Mayor Vinis - Continued Councilor Clark's comments about focusing more on underdeveloped areas, including using the building out of those areas to install fiber optics infrastructure during construction. • Councilor Pryor - Discussed global methods for installing fiber optics in economical ways and use of creativity to make development happen cheaper and faster; discussed use of fiber optics instead of SG for connection to the internet. Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency and reopened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 14, 2019 Page 2 Work Session