CC Minutes - 01/25/10 Work Session

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Ms. Spilde noted that the planned facility for the 10th Avenue and Charnelton Street site had been planned in accordance with the sustainability principles of the triple bottom line assessment. She proceeded to describe for the benefit of the council, the approximate square footage and layout of the new facility as well as how many students were ultimately expected to be served by the new building. Ms. Spilde reported that a feasibility study commissioned by LCC had demonstrated the need for student housing in the downtown area as part of the new LCC facility. Ms. Spilde noted that a consulting firm from Portland had been commissioned to conduct the first phase of the new facility's project management. Ms. Spilde noted that LCC had contracted the f rm of Robertson - Sherwood to design and develop the new LCC facility. She further noted that a report from Robertson - Sherwood regarding preliminary design and development considerations was expected to be submitted in March of 2014. Ms. Spilde briefly discussed the financing that had been assembled for the LCC development project and noted that $3 million from a recently passed bond measure and $S million in State funding had already been committed. She further noted that an additional $550,000 in federal earmarks had been awarded to LCC's energy programs and that LCC was investigating a number of potential sources for the remainder of the necessary development funding. Ms. Spilde commented that LCC had investigated the use of federal funds from the American Graduation Initiative and noted that certain LCC board members planned to travel to Washington, D.C. to advocate for that funding. Ms. Spilde noted that LCC was also investigating the use of the U.S. Treasury Department's new market tax credits to fund the development project. She further noted that additional federal energy tax credits were also being investigated. Ms. Spilde noted that LCC hoped that the City of Eugene would also provide funding assistance. She described the three -phase timeline for the development project. Ms. Spilde recognized that the planned LCC development project was very complex but recognized that the project represented an enormous opportunity for the continued growth and prosperity of the downtown community. Susan Muir noted that LCC's development plans corresponded well with certain aspects of the four downtown improvement strategies that had been adopted by the council earlier in the year. She noted that staff was seeking support for the selection of the LCC development project for the 1 0th and Charnelton site, direction for staff to enter specific negotiations for the acquisition of the subject property, and direction for staff to return to the council for a final review of the acquisition deal points. She expected that staff would return to council on or around February 22 with further details regarding the development project. Ms. Susan Muir thanked Ms. Spilde and LCC for their openness and cooperation regarding the development of the 10th and Charnelton site. She looked forward to the continued development of the project. Ms. Piercy noted her excitement at the prospect of a new downtown LCC facility and hoped that the planning strategies regarding the same could be matched up with a number of concurrent community discussions regarding local economic development. MINUTES Eugene City Council January 25, 2010 Page 5 Work Session