Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br />ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Work Session: Downtown Projects – Parking <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: February 17, 2010 Agenda Item Number: A <br />Department: Planning & Development Staff Contact: Susan Muir/Jeff Petry <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-6077 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br />This work session is a continuation of the council’s discussion of downtown economic development. It <br />focuses on the work of the City Council Parking Subcommittee that has reviewed downtown parking <br />options over the past year. No formal action is requested. However, staff is seeking feedback from the <br />Mayor and the City Council. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />The City Council’s discussion of downtown revitalization is part of a larger conversation on local <br />economic development actions. The overarching goal is to foster a vibrant downtown while boosting the <br />local economy. The four strategy areas set out to achieve this goal are: jobs and redevelopment, safety, <br />parking and attractions and amenities. <br /> <br />Downtown Parking is one of eight projects that the council has reviewed. The council discussed <br />funding options for the other seven projects, which include Safety, Lane Community College <br />Downtown Center, Veterans, Green Infrastructure, Business Assistance & Housing, Arts & <br />Entertainment District, and Beam/Centre Court, at the February 10, 2010, work session. Two of the <br />seven projects reviewed included a downtown parking component. The Safety project includes a <br />recommendation that the Urban Renewal Agency assumes the debt service payments of the Parking <br />Fund on the Broadway Garages, with the Parking Fund transferring an additional $740,000 to the <br />General Fund for downtown public safety. The Green Infrastructure project discusses the installation <br />of electric vehicle charging stations in downtown City-managed surface lots and parking structures. <br /> <br />The council held a Downtown Parking work session on October 29, 2008. As a result of the work <br />session, a Downtown Parking Subcommittee, comprised of Councilors Clark, Ortiz, Pryor, and Taylor, <br />was formed to review the City’s downtown parking (See Attachment C for the parking discussion <br />timeline.) The subcommittee reviewed options that could readily be implemented to spur greater use, <br />draw more people, and leverage economic opportunities in downtown Eugene. <br /> <br />The subcommittee discussions focused on “Rebranding” the City’s existing downtown parking system, <br />using “Easy Payment” technologies, and “Free Parking.” Staff has started to move forward with <br />rebranding and easy payment strategies. However, the subcommittee identified a need to check in with <br />the council on the free parking options. The subcommittee identified areas in downtown to explore <br />providing free on-street parking (see Attachment A). The free parking option calls for removal of all on- <br />street meters within the boundary and replacing them with signs limiting parking from 30 minutes to <br />three hours. We are asking for council direction on the free parking strategy. <br /> Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100217\S100217A.doc <br /> <br />