Item B: West University Park Reconfiguration

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: West University Park Reconfiguration Meeting Date: September 28, 2005 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Robin Hostick www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-4915 ISSUE STATEMENT West University Park has been closed since 1995. This closure was due to serious and constant negative activities occurring within the park. The abutting property owners to the east who wish to redevelop their property have recently proposed that a reconfiguration of both properties would be mutually beneficial. This reconfiguration would include an exchange of a portion of each parcel. The purpose of this work session is to discuss that proposal. BACKGROUND Bob and Leslie Quinney (owners), own the private property containing multi-family housing which abuts the eastern edge of West University Park. They are proposing a partial property exchange that th would result in City ownership of a re-configured park site abutting East 14 Avenue and Hilyard Street, and private ownership by the owners of a re-configured property between the proposed park site and the alley to the south (see Attachment A: Diagram of Proposed Exchange). At the direction of the City Manager, Parks and Open Space Division staff has undertaken a preliminary evaluation of the proposal. General conditions (points of agreement) for the proposal are described in Attachment B. The owners have stated their intent to redevelop multifamily housing on their existing parcel, or on the re-configured parcel, depending on whether the City accepts their proposal. The reconfiguration benefits the Quinney’s housing project by allowing direct parking access off the alley, providing additional square footage, and changing the abutting public property from a minimally maintained, closed park to a functional, attractive public space adjacent to their proposed housing redevelopment. The proposed park configuration would be longer and shallower, with significantly increased street th frontage along East 14 Avenue, and the addition of frontage along Hilyard Street. Alley access to the park would be eliminated. The concept of “natural observation” - meaning good visibility from public streets or nearby homes or businesses - and access control are important factors in supporting a positive culture in a park. The existing West University Park is poorly configured from both standpoints and, among other factors, this has been recognized as a flaw leading to the observed negative use and ultimate closure. The reconfiguration of this park as proposed would increase visibility from the streets and nearby homes. It would also improve access control by eliminating alley access. The owners are proposing that their redeveloped housing project on the adjacent property would provide significant natural observation from windows and balconies facing directly into the park (see attachments D and E). The owners are also proposing to maintain clear visual access between the properties at the ground level through the use of transparent fencing and low landscape planting, and to provide lighting along the L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050928\S050928B.doc