CC Minutes - 04/13/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

research park in its current location, and the benefits it would receive by preserving the valuable open green space to the north of the tracks. David Kelly, 2988 Chandler Drive, supported Option E for the riverfront district. He said that he was supportive of start-up companies and continued economic diversification, but did not think that the research park had accomplished the goals established for it. He said that the community should stop putting aside money for infrastructure that might not be needed. Mr. Kelly said that the research park sent the wrong message by sending City funds to support a few businesses. He said that times had changed since the park was created. He said that the district should be terminated, and the City and University should then rethink the best use of the property for all. Kappy Eaton, 1631 East 24th Avenue, identified herself as the president of the League of Women's Voter and indicated the league's support for a centrally located library and improved library services. She asked the council to preserve the option of urban renewal for capital costs for a new library. Ms. Eaton indicated the league's support for Option O She said that a central library would be consistent with the City's and league's goals of encouraging alternatives to automobile usage as it would more accessible to bus transportation options than anywhere else in the City. Ms. Eaton said that the league had consistently supported a strong downtown, and it was the league's position that tax increment financing of capital improvements provides benefits to all citizens of Eugene, and not just those in the district. Eleanor Mulder, 2775 Emerald, indicated her agreement with the remarks of Molly Stafford and Kappy Eaton. She asked the council to keep its options open if a decision was reached by the Mayor's Library Committee that a new library should be located downtown. Gerry Gaydos, 2820 Emerald Street, supported the downtown district and riverfront district. He perceived a relationship between the districts and Eugene's attempt to densify and keep the urban growth boundary in place. He said that the community voted to accept the downtown plan in 1989, and he believed residents understood that it was a 20-year plan that was now only partially completed. Mr. Gaydos supported Option C for the downtown district, saying that urban renewal was a tool that could be used in ways that would aid the growth and the success of downtown. He believed the library could contribute to that success, but there were also many other projects that were important. Regarding the riverfront district, Mr. Gaydos indicated support for Option F. Howard Wade, 735 East 21st Avenue, said that he had participated in several ABLE meetings. He said that although the issues were complex, the options made it clear what could be done. He endorsed Option B and offered the councilors "Library Now" buttons to wear at the new library's grand opening. Leslie Glasser, 390 Dellwood Drive, said she was a long-time resident, parent, and volunteer in the schools. She spoke of the importance of libraries and said that she was appalled by the lack of community support for a new library. Ms. Glasser said that libraries provide materials that were not available from other sources. She said that libraries were key to a community's perception of itself. Ms. Glasser supported Option B to preserve urban renewal for a library only. Al Urquart, 1045 East 20th Avenue, asked the council to terminate the riverfront district, Option E, saying that the district had not attained the goals established for it. He said that the district MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 13, 1998 Page 7 7:30 p.m.