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they are little used outside of programmed events, and need improvement to enhance <br />function, accessibility, attractiveness, and identity. <br /> <br />Blighted conditions in these areas include barren spaces with broken and deteriorated <br />pedestrian open areas and walkways, lack of amenities such as seating or water and <br />areas that do not meet accessibility standards. The expenditure of urban renewal funds <br />for these parks and plazas will improve or remove blighted conditions, attract positive <br />activity downtown, stimulate economic development, promote downtown <br />revitalization, provide a healthier and safer place for residents to congregate, and <br />enhance the value of the Plan Area as a whole. <br /> <br />2) HighSpeedFiber: The 2013 City of Eugene Broadband Strategic Plan identified the <br />development of a downtown fiber network as a strategic goal. After completion of the <br />Strategic Plan, City staff worked with LCOG and EWEB on a successful pilot project, to <br />test the feasibility of implementing a municipally owned downtown network. The City, <br />EWEB, and LCOG identified a workable method to connect buildings by running fiber <br />optics cables through existing electrical conduit. <br /> <br />EWEB completed the installation of the fiber network throughout the designated <br />footprint of the project boundary in October 2019. LCOG is currently in the process of <br />making improvements to the WIX (Willamette Internet Exchange) because it had <br />reached capacity and has been unable to offer space to new internet service providers <br />(ISPs) who wanted to have a presence in the WIX. The improvements will expand the <br />WIX, so that the facility can host more ISPs. <br /> <br />3)1059WillametteRedevelopment: The 66,000 square foot building located at 1059 <br />Willamette Street was vacated in January 2013 when the new Lane Community College <br />Downtown Campus opened on 10th Avenue and Olive Street. At present, the vacant <br />building neither provides space for active uses nor adds to downtown vitality. <br />Redevelopment of this large structure will benefit the Plan Area by improving a <br />blighted building that is currently vacant, increasing the mix of uses in the Plan Area, <br />and stimulating additional public and private investment. Blighted conditions at this <br />property include vacancy, underutilization, decreased property values, and population <br />loss. Redevelopment of this property will help eliminate blight by contributing to <br />reinvestment in the community that can lead to increased property values, through <br />revitalization of a stagnant and underutilized property, and creating an attraction for <br />investors and/or entrepreneurs to reinvest in the Plan Area. <br />In January 2020, City Council approved the use of non-urban renewal funds (federal <br />Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)) funds for acquisition of the site for <br />affordable housing. The use of CDBG funds requires that at least 51% of the units must <br />be affordable housing for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income <br />(which is sometimes referred to as Workforce Housing). The remaining 49% can be <br />leased at any income level, including market rate. The City purchased the property in <br />April 2020. Tax increment funds are available for use in the redevelopment of the site <br />ReportontheProposed2020Amendment 11 <br /> <br />