CC Newsletter - 03/02/06 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

In addition to the telecommunication undergrounding, EWEB is taking the opportunity to do some facility upgrades. A new 8-inch-diameter waterline, EWEB electrical service conduits, QWEST telecommunication conduits and future service conduits for Comcast are being installed. These facilities are being installed in a joint trench, which results in a cost savings for all parties. This aerial-to-underground conversion project is in addition to a previous conversion project paid jointly by the City of Eugene and the federal General Services Administration (GSA), which is overseeing the construction of the Wayne Morse Federal Courthouse. The previous project removed electrical poles ththth along Mill Street from 6 to 8 avenues and along 8 Avenue from Mill to Ferry streets. th Eugene Sand and Gravel is the general contractor for the road work, which includes improving 8 th Avenue between Ferry and Mill streets, extending 6 Avenue from Mill Street to the east approximately thth 500 feet, and extend into Ferry Street from 8 Avenue north to intersect with the easterly end of the 6 th Avenue extension, improving Ferry Street south of 8 Avenue, and installing amenities such as wider sidewalks, reconstructed driveways, decorative streetlights, landscaping, stormwater swales and on- street parking. The Phase 1 work is scheduled to be substantially completed by September. For more information, contact Project Manager Joe Ramirez at 682-5228. Park Block Improvements Underway Construction of a number of improvements in the southeast Park Block started February 23. This project will support increased use of the Park Blocks and enhance safety, while reinforcing the Park Blocks’ original mid-century Modernist design. The current phase of Park Blocks improvements will provide safety, circulation, and utility improvements that will better support the Saturday Market and weekday use of the southeast Park Block, as well as an improved tent structure for the stage area. Specific changes include relocation of the wheelchair ramp to improve access to the stage area during periods of heavy use, relocation of a bench at the east end of the stage area to a new niche built into the rock walls, and removal of the vertical culverts beside the shelter that create a trip hazard. Opening up the east end of the stage platform and the area between the east stairs and sidewalk will achieve better connections between the stage and market areas, and potentially provide more market vending space. Water service will be extended to furnish potable water for the first time to the area in the northwest quadrant of the southeast Park Block used by Saturday Market food vendors. Finally, about 3,000 square feet of failing concrete paving will be replaced. The four small trees removed during this project are being replaced with incense cedars and a big leaf maple, which are native to Oregon. Design services are provided by Pivot Architecture (formerly WBGS Architecture and Planning), with site work by Wildish Construction. The construction project will be substantially complete by April 1, in time for the first Saturday Market of 2006. The current construction project is the most visible element of the 2006 Park Blocks project. Initially funded at $325,000, the project includes completion of a master plan for the combined Park Blocks. As one of the earliest examples of mid-century Modernist design for a public plaza in Oregon, a master plan is needed to ensure that future enhancements to the Park Blocks will integrate improvements consistent with the character of the original design. As the construction project is expected to come in about $60,000 below initial budget estimates, some resources will be available to partially fund the next set of projects identified in the master plan. For additional information, please contact Glen Svendsen at 682- 5008 or by email at glen.l.svendsen@ci.eugene.or.us. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 March 3, 2006