Item B: West University Park Reconfiguration

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common property line on the southern park edge. These design considerations on the adjacent private property are likely to further reduce the chance of future negative use in the proposed park. The proposal was presented at a West University Neighborhood (WUN) board meeting on July 28, 2005, and discussed at a WUN general meeting the following week. The WUN board passed a resolution endorsing the proposal. While strongly opposing reopening the park in its current configuration, both the University Small Business Association and Eugene Police have cautiously endorsed reopening the proposed, reconfigured park. A separate meeting organized by Parks and Open Space Division staff to gather public comment on the proposal was held on August 25. Input from nearby property owners was also directly solicited by mail. During the meeting, the owner presented his proposal and a draft list conditions, and responded to a variety of questions. A summary of all public comments submitted on the subject of the trade proposal is provided in Attachment C, including a letter questioning the fairness of the owner’s request for a right of first refusal on a future purchase of the reconfigured park property. The proposed park site would be approximately 2600 square feet smaller than the existing park site. A third party appraisal conducted by Duncan Brown, Inc. states the following: Area (square feet) $ Per Square Foot Total Before Exchange City Parcel 16,032 $22 $352,704 After Exchange City Parcel 13,430 $25 $335,750 Difference -$16,954 Before Exchange Owner Parcel 16,020 $25 $400,500 After Exchange Owner Parcel 18,622 $22 $409,684 Difference $9,184 The appraisal places the difference in raw land value of the two parcels following an exchange as proposed at $26,138 ($16,954 + 9,184). Under the proposed conditions of agreement, the owner would pay the City this value difference, rounded to a total of $30,000 to support park improvements. The City would agree to use this revenue to fund the installation of irrigated turf grass as a base condition for the newly reconfigured neighborhood park. Other Background Information The site for West University Park was identified in 1976 and acquired the following year to provide a neighborhood park serving the West University area. All funds for acquisition and development of the park were provided by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, managed by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD representatives have indicated that the exchange proposal does not trigger any special process requirements through its association with CDBG funding, but that the exchange would place limitations on eligibility for future CDBG funds for West University Park. Timing is of critical importance to this proposal. The owners desire to complete their housing redevelopment project by September 2006 whether or not this proposal is accepted. They are therefore requesting a response to the proposal offer by October 1, 2005, in order to be able to pursue alternate development plans if this proposal is deemed unacceptable. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050928\S050928B.doc