12/03/09 - City Council Newsletter

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Second Phase of Improvements to Amtrak Depot Substantially Completed The second phase of improvements is substantially completed at the Amtrak Depot. Phase 2 was a site improvement project to promote better access and ease of use for the people using passenger rail services in Eugene. The project included repair of badly deteriorated paving and improvements of pedestrian and vehicular circulation conditions. The project budget is $1 million, of which $178,000 was ARRA (federal stimulus) funds, allowing more durable paving materials to be used and a more comprehensive project scope. The contractor was Delta Construction, the prime design firm was OBEC Consulting Engineers, and the consulting design architect was PIVOT Architects, all located in Eugene. In the initial phase of the depot project, the City purchased the historic 1908 Southern Pacific Passenger Railroad Depot and associated property in 2002 and completed a rehab of the building in 2004. The renovated 5,500-square-foot "Richardsonian" style building reopened in fall 2004, as a modern facility meeting transportation needs while honoring the area’s architectural and civic heritage. It included accessible restrooms, a larger public lobby with new but historically accurate lighting and benches, an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, and improved staff work spaces. The small wooden "bunkhouse" dating from the 1890s was refitted as a train crew support facility and moved to a location at the northwest corner of the depot site. An existing sculpture really stands out in the newly improved entryway and parking area at the historic Amtrak Depot. The Oregon Department of Transportation administered both phases of the project, with Congressman Peter DeFazio securing significant funding. The sculpture at the center of the improved entry area was installed as a 1% for Art element at the completion of the initial phase in 2006. The sculpture is entitled "Point of Origin" and the artists are David Thompson and Betsy Wolfston of Eugene. Amtrak offers daily service with passenger trains and buses that connect Eugene with Vancouver, B.C., and the other cities in the Pacific Northwest High Speed Rail Corridor. For more information, contact Project Manager Russ Mecredy at 682-6024. Indoor Environmental Quality Presentation Promotes Healthy Buildings Ihab M.K. Elzeyadi, Ph.D., FEIA, LEED AP, a professor at the Department of Architecture, University of Oregon, will give a presentation on Indoor Environmental Quality on Tuesday, December 8, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. at the Downtown Library Tykeson Room. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) refers to the air and environment that contributes to the health and well-being of occupants inside buildings - homes, schools and workplaces. Designing for good IEQ means effectively using design solutions that both encourage a higher performance of the building and enhance the occupants’ health and productivity. The presentation will cover the principle components of IEQ and key considerations in building design, as well as case studies that illustrate costs and benefits associated with good IEQ design. The event is sponsored by the City of Eugene guide2Green program and the Cascadia Region Green Building Council. It is free and open to the public. To get more information or RSVP, contact Green Building Analyst Jenna Garmon at 682-5541 or email jenna.r.garmon@ci.eugene.or.us. Library Offers Expert Advice for Job-Seekers On Saturday, December 5, Eugene Public Library will hold a Jobs & Career Options workshop that will be helpful to those who have just been laid-off, as well as those considering new directions. Expert information, assistance, and encouragement will be provided by Ann Guthrie of Goodwill Industries and librarian Scott Herron. Starting at 3:00 p.m. at the Downtown Library, the session will provide professional tips on career options, networking, and job EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 December 3, 2009