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City's redevelopment needs and sustainability goals and would provide a return on investment. The campus would house a variety of college programs, including energy management and renewable energy programs. He said the facility would also include meeting spaces available for business, community organizations and residents and housing constructed at the site would attract up to 200 new residents to downtown. He said the facility would create economic opportunity through a state-of-the-art training facility and immediate construction jobs. He thanked the Mayor and council for their leadership and willingness to invest in the project, which would provide decades of services to students and impact generations to come. He said the project could be shovel -ready by September 2010, with potential completion by fall 2012. Scott Sanders, Susan Street, Eugene, commented that there was no "silver bullet" to revitalize downtown and believed that it was private investment that would eventually bring about the desired change, although improvements were needed now to attract more private investment over time. Those improvements included increasing viability, safety and activity in downtown and the proposed plan amendment would accomplish those things through the four targeted projects. He supported the plan amendment. Chris Boone, Centennial Loop, Eugene, Ward 7, said he was a young professional who had lived in Eugene most of his life, leaving only to complete his education. He said for him and his peers it was imperative that progress be made on filling the empty spaces and increasing activity in downtown. He said a good base of young professionals was essential to a vital economy and one of the key elements of attracting and retaining that demographic was an attractive and vibrant downtown. He said the currently proposed projects were a major step in the right direction and would bring positive energy and activity downtown. He urged the council to avoid delay and use the funding tool that was currently available to support the projects. Maylian Pak, Whitbeck Boulevard, Eugene, Ward 2, spoke in support of the downtown urban renewal district. She said a thriving downtown was essential to economic growth and an engaged community. She said it was critical for the council to support revitalization of the Park Blocks and augment public safety to attract businesses and individuals who would be engaged and active in helping to stimulate the local economy. She supported the proposed projects and without the council's support it was likely that there would be more vacancies and empty storefronts downtown. The plan amendment could re- energize efforts to reposition downtown as the heart and soul of Eugene. Oliver Thornton, West 10 Alley, Eugene, stated that he supported the plan amendment, but with the condition that it was a ballot measure. He thought the public had the right to determine how public funds were spent in the downtown urban renewal district. He said the proj ects had broad appeal, but was concerned with the diversion of funds from the schools, the City and the County. He said the public should be able to prioritize the needs and determine which projects should be funded. Craig Willis, Queens Way, Eugene, Ward 4, Lord Leebrick Theater artistic direction, said the theater was currently in the process of renovating its property downtown and joined other speakers in urging the strongest support possible for amending the urban renewal plan, which was vital to the success of current and planned redevelopment downtown. Regarding concerns about nonprofit organizations and the payment of property taxes, he stated that Lord Leebrick Theater Company will have paid over $20,000 in property taxes and would continue to do so in the future. He said that was possible because the theater's redevelopment plan called for retail space as part of its project and that was not exempt from property tax. He pointed out that the theater provided employment to many people who were also Eugene home owners and spent their salaries at businesses that employed Eugene residents who paid property taxes. John Brown, Ward 5, Eugene, speaking as a private citizen, commended the council for the diversity of projects included in the urban renewal plan amendment. He fully supported all of the projects and had MINUTES Eugene City Council April 19, 2010 Page 3 Public Hearing