Item B: Local Economic Development Plan - Part 2

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Renewal Plan amendment. A summary and the identified next steps for each of the three items is provided below. 1.Sale of surplus City real estate for identified development projects: Several surplus City parcels appear to have significant development potential. The public benefit of such development is not only the sale proceeds but also the end use, construction activity in this time of need, and the resulting forward momentum. Two such examples include the property on Franklin Boulevard (opposite from the Phoenix Inn) and the site directly east of the Wayne Morse Federal Courthouse. Private parties have already expressed interest in several of the City-owned properties; additional interest could be generated by issuing a Request for Proposals for development projects. Redevelopment and new development projects could have an immediate and significant economic impact. Prior to sale, the City’s potential future interest in the properties would need to be assessed in comparison with the positive community impacts associated with the development by private parties. Nest Steps : Return to the council with recommendations for declaring certain parcels surplus and with a proposed disposition process. 2.Procedural Land Use Code amendments: At the April 13 meeting, the council discussed procedural and livability code standards and heard feedback that code amendments that address livability issues could be more controversial and more complicated. A few small code amendments could address timelines and submittal requirements that could have an impact to allow projects to continue to move forward, or move forward at a slower pace and keep them alive through this difficult economic time. Next Steps: City Council initiation of small procedural Land Use Code amendments to consider extensions, submittal requirements and processing timelines related to land use applications. The process will have opportunities for public comment and public involvement and will require Planning Commission review followed by council review and action. 3.Urban Renewal Plan amendment: At the April 22, 2009, work session, the council discussed a potential amendment of the Downtown Urban Renewal District Plan. As indicated during the discussion, the Maximum Indebtedness (spending limit cap) in the district plan would need to be expanded to provide financial capacity to support development opportunities in the downtown core, including a potential Veterans Affairs hospital; the proposed Lane Community College Downtown Center expansion/addition; investments in support of the Arts and Culture District along Willamette and Broadway; urban design and streetcar planning; implementation of the Park Blocks Master Plan and improvements for the Farmers’ Market and Saturday Market; build out of civic center; and other downtown infrastructure or development projects. Individually and collectively the investments could provide a significant economic boost to downtown as well as to the community as a whole. Major amendments to urban renewal plans are required by state statute to follow a specific process. A summary of the amendment process and a draft timeline is provided as Attachment C. Next Steps : Staff will schedule future work sessions with the Urban Renewal Agency Board and council to discuss the potential projects, financial requirements, and the amendment process.