Item A: Downtown Financing Strategy

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ATTACHMENT C Projects Information Update Farmers’ market stated need – In January, staff met with the Executive Director of Lane County Farmers’ Market to discuss the current location at the Park Blocks. At that time, several specific improvements were mentioned that would enable the Farmers’ Market to stay and grow at the Park Blocks. These included the following: th 1.Street improvements along 8Avenue, such as narrowing the street or curb extensions th (without closing 8 Avenue, since that action would limit the transportation/access options) 2.Public toilets (or even portable facilities) in the back corner on the north end of Park Street 3.Relocating or modifying the wall at the south-east corner, behind the Hey Bales stand 4.Electrical upgrades and improved access particularly along Park Street 5.Improvements in the right of way along Park Street to enable the farmers' booths to be more compatible with nearby businesses 6.Free parking for customers in the Butterfly Lot 7.Free parking for the Farmers’ Market (continuing the policy recently initiated) 8.Addressing the customer "bottleneck" on the south-west corner, such as by relocating trees or adding permeable pavers 9.Landscape changes or additional maintenance of the grassy areas 10.Exploring the possibility of expanding Farmers' Market activities into the Free Speech Plaza LCC’s Projected Need – LCC has secured $17.5 million derived from their local bond measure ($9 million), State matching funds ($8 million), and a federal energy-related grant ($500,000). The pending feasibility analysis will include a detailed project cost estimate (not including land acquisition). LCC is seeking New Market Tax Credits, potential federal stimulus dollars, and $8 million from the City to help complete the project financing. LCC has indicated that debt financing for the education building is not possible because there are no operating funds in their education program budget to pay debt service. Status of the Veterans Affairs Clinic Relocation – The VA received 5 responses to its December request for proposals. The VA has scheduled site visits during the first two weeks of March. By mid- June the VA will issue a “solicitation” for one or more selected sites for responders to provide design and financing information. The lease award is estimated for the last quarter of 2010 or the first quarter of 2011. Occupancy is targeted to December 2012. th The 12 and Willamette site is only one of the possible locations and the City has limited influence on th site selection. The City can, however, help make the 12 and Willamette site more competitive in the selection process by helping to fund energy upgrades and building/infrastructure improvements.