Item A - Civic Center Visioning - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Goals This project relates to the council goals of an effective, accountable municipal government, having a safe community, and sustainable community growth and change. Financial and/or Resource Considerations This work session focuses on the vision for Eugene's future Civic Center and policies to guide planning for future public facilities. More specific plans for implementation of specific projects, including location, facility size and design, resource and financing mechanisms, will be addressed in future City Council work sessions. Other Background Information The Mayor' s Civic Facilities Visioning Committee has met four times over the past several months. Minutes and materials from their meetings have been forwarded to the council. The final meeting was held in May, and the committee's recommendations are being presented to the council in a report at the current work session. There has been significant public input into the creation of planning policies that underlie the civic center vision. The guiding policies in the Civic Center Vision are closely related to the Downtown Plan Update, which had extensive public input. Specifically on the civic center concept, public input began back in 1999 with creation of the Council Committee on City Hall Alternatives. Voters have had the opportunity to weigh in on the relocation of the downtown fire station. In January 2004, the City and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) hosted a well-attended design charette, which had been advertised to the public. The information from that charette was used as the basis for the work of the Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee, which included members from other public agencies and from the general public. It should also be noted that there will be ample opportunities for public input on implementation of each project within the plan. For instance, if the council approves placing a measure on the ballot this November, voters will be able to indicate their willingness to support the first phase of the civic center vision. As a public building is designed, there would be opportunities for public input, as there were during development of the library design. Timing Staff will be bringing a recommendation to the council on July 14 for construction of a new Community Safety Building as the first element of the vision for a new civic center, including a financing plan. If a financing plan was adopted that required a bond election, the council would need to take final action on a bond measure resolution no later than August 27, 2004 (or prior to summer break), to place a funding measure on the November 2004 general election ballot. There are two main advantages to placing a measure on the November 2004 general election ballot: 1) the project can begin to move forward at an earlier date, hoping to take advantage of the recent trends in low interest rates; and 2) the election does not require a double-majority vote. Any election other than a general election in an even-numbered year requires both that at least 50% of the voters turn out for the election and that a majority of voters must approve the measure. L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040616\S040616A. doc