CC Minutes - 01/23/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Forum was at the beginning of the meeting,, but after about the third meeting it changed from the beginning to the middle of the meeting. They surmised that this was so people would not show up to testify. He alleged that this had been confirmed to them by a task force member. He said that since then the Open Forum had been moved back to the beginning of the meeting and it was suggested to him and his wife that they come and speak, should they desire. He stated that while he did not wish to belittle the work of the task force, he thought there was a “wall of communication” that prevented information from flowing. Joshua Keim , 961 Almaden Street, addressed the possibility of the use of eminent domain and condemnation proceedings to “clear the way” for a mall in downtown Eugene. He was one of approximately a dozen property owners who could be subjected to these proceedings. He said his property holdings included 55 West Broadway, which housed his offices for his restaurant management company, and 64 th West 8 Avenue, where a new bar was scheduled to open later in the week. He underscored that he was a local employer of over 110 individuals. He thanked the City Council and Mayor Piercy for the time and energy they applied to the revitalization of downtown Eugene. He believed that the city of Eugene and its people would be better off if the discussion about the use of eminent domain was taken off the table immediately. He averred that the time and energy this division of interest would consume should be spent to do something positive, something that would be inclusive of all of the diverse businesses that were currently succeeding in that area. He declared that for over 200 years, the United States Constitution guaranteed the rights of property owners and protected their property from being taken and sold to another land owner. He said now, in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision, the City Council opened itself up to the possibility of using this “very sharp and dangerous tool.” He did not believe the City should help manipulate the free marketplace. He opined that no one would want to start a business in an unstable environment where one’s investment could be taken away so easily. He asked what would be next and where it would end. He maintained that all prime real estate was at risk; a beach-front property, farmland, or an entire suburban neighborhood could become the next target of developers. He submitted his testimony in writing. David Sonnichsen , 2435 Skyline Boulevard, stated that the Citizens Planning Committee for the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park had passed the following motion: “To protect the scenic views of the Willamette River Greenway which are essential to the natural and recreational values of the Whilamut Natural Area in Alton Baker Park, the Citizens Planning Committee recommends that no additional bridges crossing the Willamette River exceeding the existing total of five functioning bridges or their replacements be constructed within the riverside border of Alton Baker Park. This recommendation is also intended to preclude the modification of existing pedestrian bridges to carry motorized traffic.” The bridges referenced were the Ferry Street Bridge, the DeFazio, Autzen, and Knickerbocker pedestrian and bicycle bridges, and the Interstate 5 bridge. He recalled that Howard Buford, a well-known park advocate, arrived in Eugene on 1945 and was the first planning consultant for the former Central Lane Planning Council. He said Mr. Buford formerly worked for the National Park Service and the Army Corps of Engineers. He related that Mr. Buford envisioned a central park in Eugene. He read an editorial written in 1959 that likened the proposed park to the West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. He thanked his fellow committee members for their work. Zachary Vishanoff , Patterson Street, reiterated his concern regarding the basketball arena the University of Oregon planned to build. He felt there was not enough public discussion about it. He felt both the downtown discussion and the discussion about the basketball arena contained the possibility of eminent domain. He alleged that the arena would be a “no-bid contract.” He thought the back-up plan for the MINUTES—Eugene City Council January 23, 2006 Page 2 Regular Session