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public meeting rooms, a caf6 and a used bookstore. Public art is located throughout the building and exterior spaces. The library draws people of all ages downtown, for events and activities and the simple pleasure of finding a book to read. The River The Willamette River is a treasured recreational and environmental asset, and should be a fundamental aspect of the identity and vitality of our city. The EWEB fountain and riverfront plaza is one of the few points of access to the river in downtown. Access to the riverfront from downtown will be enhanced as neighboring areas develop and 5th and 8th Avenues are improved as Great Streets. The plan supports the creation of a carefully designed at-grade crossing of the railroad tracks at 8th Avenue, with an inviting civic destination where 8th Avenue ~ leads to the river's edge. Development and activities along the riverfront should support the use of this special area as an urban recreational resource. Views of the river from adjacent developed areas should be emphasized. The Millrace and Cannery Square The Millrace is a visible reminder of the city's industrial beginnings. Only a portion of the Millrace is an exposed waterway; the remainder is in a culvert at the end of Ferry Lane, west of Patterson Street until it reaches the Willamette River through the EWEB property. Recent planning efforts around the new Courthouse reinvigorated ideas for the Millrace to provide an above-ground pedestrian path to the river. Design concepts and cost estimates for Millrace improvements vary widely. This plan supports the concept for full daylighting of the Millrace, between the existing surface waterway ending at Ferry Lane and the outfall on the EWEB property. Cannery Square is the name proposed for the public space envisioned near the comer of Ferry Street and 8th Avenue, in front of the new Federal Courthouse. This space will be designed as part of the improvements to the Courthouse area and may include Millrace improvements. Cannery Square is envisioned as part of the sequence of public spaces along 8th Avenue leading from the Park Blocks to the river. 5th Avenue Area The 5th Street Market is one of the best loved and most successful places downtown. It is a downtown destination for workers, residents and visitors. A number of other popular places are located along 5th Avenue, including shops and restaurants. Rehabilitation of the train depot at the north terminus of Willamette Street just north of 5th Avenue is underway. Future improvements may include a railway overpass, a vehicular and pedestrian loop and a public plaza. Much of the train depot area is designated and zoned for industrial uses. This area will be redesignated and rezoned to allow commercial development compatible with the adjacent downtown area. Projects that help to "fill in" the missing pieces between activity areas are especially encouraged. Historic Properties Historic properties are special places downtown. Not coincidentally, many historic structures are located along the Great Streets. These structures remind us of the history of 21