Item B: Downtown Outcomes - Laserfiche WebLink

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The City owns several downtown properties some of which have commercial space available. As a landlord, the City can offer lease terms to improve feasibility for a business or entity to locate downtown. Additionally, the City has a need for space downtown and can be a tenant. The City is a strong tenant and can serve as an anchor tenant to help satisfy lender leasing requirements. Example: Beam Development The City agreed to be a back-up tenant for the new building to be constructed on the vacant lot owned by Beam Development. The City’s commitment was instrumental in Beam’s decision to purchase the property and is considered to be a major consideration in Beam’s pursuit of financing for the construction of the new building. 3. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE Numerous actions by the City directly and indirectly benefit businesses, visitors and residents downtown. In addition to financial and development tools, comprehensive programs and projects reinforce, refocus, or energize downtown enhancement efforts. These activities are designed to revitalize Eugene’s downtown by improving its image, business and residential climate, and physical environment. Each requires significant coordination, communication and staff expertise from different City departments, attention to critical details, and commitment to the vision for a revitalized downtown. These activities enhance the environment for downtown development, but may have a more limited impact in terms of facilitating specific redevelopment efforts. A. Event Programming Programming for activities and events supports downtown as the arts and culture center of the community and brings thousands of visitors into the core. The visitors may shop or eat downtown, or simply come to view downtown as a great place to visit or bring family and friends in the future. Activities include the Summer in the City offerings coordinated through Library, Recreation and Cultural Services (LRCS), the Eugene Celebration, Farmers’ Market and Saturday Market. Each of these activities requires City coordination, planning and publicity to achieve and maintain success and support downtown as a key destination; most of the staff involved are not dependent on urban renewal funds. Many of the downtown Summer in the City events are presented in cooperation with partners including Saturday Market and Downtown Eugene, Inc. Several City departments are actively involved in this collaboration; efforts include improved lighting in several locations and increased police downtown bicycle patrols to enhance safety and inhibit behavior problems. We continue to work with local downtown businesses, non-profits, developers and other institutions and partners in multiple ways to foster a more dynamic and attractive city center. B. Safety A safe downtown is a critical component of an active, economically vital downtown. The City supports downtown safety directly through the downtown police patrol, on bicycle, foot and in patrol cars, as well as indirectly through support for Downtown Eugene, Inc.’s Downtown Guides and the provision of restrooms. The City also provides additional safety enhancements through lighting, parking garage surveillance, and implementation of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) techniques. Event programming also enhances downtown safety, bringing positive energy and people to deter crime and to enhance the public’s experience and perception of safety. C. Beautification Beautification projects throughout downtown help create a welcoming, Eugene-based identity and environment. Hanging flower baskets, public art, well maintained planted areas, and thoughtfully designed plaza areas – all provide a downtown amenity and support the community goals for a revitalized city center. Urban renewal funding is more typically needed for larger redesign efforts, such as for the Park Blocks or Broadway Plaza, but smaller, localized amenities can be provided through other sources.