City Council Newsletter - 07/19/07

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The bulk of the funding for the second phase improvements will come from federal highway funds. Additional project funding is coming from Lane County and from Eugene’s downtown urban renewal district. There will be no direct assessments to property owners. The first phase of the courthouse district street improvements was completed in September 2006. The first phase included improving 8th Avenue between Mill and Ferry streets and Ferry Street from Broadway to 8th Avenue, constructing new roadways on the east and north sides of the new courthouse, and installing wider sidewalks, decorative streetlights, landscaping, stormwater swales and onstreet parking. Much of the construction in Phase 2 will affect primarily those streets within the courthouse district. The City is working closely with residents, businesses, and property owners in the district to minimize inconveniences and disruptions during construction. Traffic impacts and delays are to be expected on Franklin, Broadway and Mill Street when curbs, sidewalks, traffic signals and new asphalt paving are being constructed. Signs and flaggers will direct traffic in the construction zones. Traffic updates will be provided at www.eugene-or.gov/traffic and on the metro road work hotline, 984-8484. More information is available at www.eugene-or.gov/pwprojects (click on the Courthouse Transportation link), or by contacting Project Manager Joe Ramirez at 682-5228. Celebrating Hult 25--Summer @ the Hult The first two of five free Summer @ the Hult events are taking place this weekend at the Hult Center. The first Complicated fantastic concert features on Saturday, July 21, at 4 p.m. on the Hult Center Plaza (between the Eugene Hilton and the Hult Center). The community is invited to experience the eclectic array of harmonic sound for the senses as five talented women rock and wail to songs spanning five decades. Lead singer Amy Picard pours her heart and soul into each song, while the other members create tight vocal harmonies and just the right blend of hot licks and cool moves. Complicated delivers a crowd-pleasing repertoire of originals and adult contemporary, rock, and pop covers, and adds a sprinkling of country, hip-hop, and alternative with an infectious energy. Henan Province Performing Arts Ensemble On Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m., the will perform in the Silva Concert Hall.Vouchers for free tickets are available at all Bi-Mart stores. The 21-member troupe will present a program of four traditional Chinese arts: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, traditional music, and Peking Opera. Opening the program will be a Kung Fu demonstration by six experts from the famous Shaolin Temple in Henan. Kung Fu began at the Shaolin Temple in the 5th century. In return for food, shelter and education, young boys committed to this discipline became fighting monks who were frequently called upon by the Emperor to defeat the enemies of the state. Following will be Tai Chi, which evolved from Taoist monks in ancient times, and is governed by two interacting forces of nature: the Yin—yielding female energy— and the Yang—unbending male energy. Then, a quartet will present songs rooted in ancient China featuring instruments include the “pipa” (a pear-shaped lute), the “er’hu” (a two-stringed Chinese violin), the “dizi” (a type of bamboo flute), and the “yangqin” (a type of hammered dulcimer). To close the program, eight artist-singers will perform excerpts from Peking Opera—a theatrical art form that began in the 18th century and was staged exclusively for the royal family. It is regarded by many as the highest expression of Chinese culture. This is a bike friendly event, so leave your car at home!Support the Mayor’s Climate Challenge and cycle to the Hult. Free valet bike parking will be available at the 7th Avenue entrance. Cycle on down and remember to wear your helmet! A free bike safety check will be available to the first 25 cyclists compliments of Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life. For more information, contact Hult Center Marketing and Public Relations Manager Billie Moser at 682-8380. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 July 19, 2007