Item A - Civic Center Visioning - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

considering a number of options, the Public Health space. (BLM has an additional need of about programs could potentially be located with one 100,000 sq. ft. for a fleet area, flammable storage of the hospitals, or in the Peace Health clinic, and both secured m~d public parking. This activ- although differences in client groups would have ity is probably more appropriate in an industrial to be addressed. The County may need a location area rather than downtown.) The State of Oregon to house Probation and Parole in the near future, potentially needs 60,000-80,000 sq. ft. for a most likely with another use. computer center in Eugene, although a downtown location is also not necessa~.' for this type of use. Other types of public partnerships could include School Disthct {i, Eugene Water and Electric The Community Elements ot: Civi~: Board (EWEB), and the Lane Council of Gov- Spitce ernments (LCOG). District 4j can envision the A Civic Center is more than just a set of public School Board meeting in a downtown location, buildings; it is also provides space to be used by which would require a board room capable of the public and that engages the public in down- seating 300 or more people. The District's admin- town activities beyond the public services located istrative functions could be centrally located in there. Key objectives for the Civic Center public a shared facility to gain efficiencies. EWEB is space include improving citizen access to services tentatively planning for retention of approximately and efficiency, and increasing activity down- 10,000 square feet of downtown office space for town to enhance the sense of safety and security. customer seiafice and general administrative func- Inclusion of non-profit agencies with govermnent tions. EWEB could also use shared lobby and functions will create more public traffic and crifi- meeting spaces, including a large board room for cal mass to support other uses, such as small retail the EWEB Board of Commissioners meetings, businesses. The Lane Council of Governments is projecting Open space is also a priority to make the center the need to relocate their general administrative attractive for the general public as well as employ- and planning offices in early 2010, resulting in ecs and customers. The consensus of the Commit- the need for approximately 20,000 square feet of tee is that enhancements to the Park Blocks would space. In addition, LCOG's health program in the support increased activity downtown. The Com- Schaefer building could eventually relocate with a mittce noted that as additional open space is pro- compatible use. LCOG also expressed some inter- vided, it will need more programming ibc fumilies est in converting the current ground floor of the and additional efibrt to create that attraction. Schaefer building to retail uses. The vision for the Civic Center should enhance the State and federal agencies also reported an inter- ~'Great Streets" concept for 8th Avenue as the Great est in retaining a downtown Eugene presence. Civic Street. The use of design elements, signage, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would lighting and operating practices, such as street cio- require about 35,000 square feet for general office Civic visioning Committee - Report and Recommendations June 2oo4 Page ~7