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Important, too, to this economic discussion will be the completion of our required buildable land supply <br />inventory (ECLA) and how we address the future direction of our community. We intend to have this <br />pivotal policy discussion collaboratively and productively, avoiding polarizing presumptions and politics. <br />To prevent sprawl, we are going to have to live more densely and protect the character of our valuable, <br />inner core neighborhoods. we've seen some deterioration in these neighborhoods already, so the timing <br />here is crucial. <br />Downtown Revitalization <br />A fourth, additional strategy was to move downtown revitalization forward. I feel like a broken record <br />here, but my commitment is unerring. We deserve a downtown to be proud of. This requires a multifa- <br />ceted approach that includes development, public safety and social services. It includes you. <br />• Devel pment <br />We've been successful in partnering with Lane Community College to fill the Sears pit. They plan a total <br />investment of $25 -35 million that is expected to produce several hundred construction jobs, 45 new <br />permanent downtown jobs, and at least six job programs training 5,000 students a year. The LCC <br />Downtown Center will prepare a workforce for the rapidly growing green jobs sector and provide a highly <br />trained labor pool for green industries looking to locate in the area. Please let LCC know what a great <br />thing this will be for Eugene. <br />A city party is due when this pit is finally plugged! <br />Eugene's Downtown Revitalization Loan program provided gap financing for critical projects such as <br />Kesey Enterprise's purchase of the historic McDonald Building and Lord Leebrick's redevelopment of the <br />West Broadway property. These projects are important in building our arts and entertainment district as a <br />significant local economic resource and the cultural identity of our community. <br />Beam Development's rehabilitation of Centre Court made important progress. The remodeled building <br />proposes to provide flexible "incubator" space for small businesses - a need we heard about in our recent <br />Economic Summit. I give Beam Development and Brad Malsin every credit for being great partners and <br />keeping this on track. <br />Other hopeful possibilities include the upcoming Peace Health Hospital revitalization in our campus area <br />and a regional veterans' clinic in our downtown. <br />Public Saety <br />Public safety plays a vital role in our quality of life, economic future and downtown revitalization. This <br />has been a year of ups and downs. <br />We're pleased to have our new Chief of Police, Pete Kerns sworn in and our new Independent Police <br />Auditor Mark Oissiner hired, and have confidence that they will both help us move forward. Top on their <br />list will be our city's taser policy and any changes that are needed. <br />The Public Safety System - Our tattered regional public safety system gained national attention this year. <br />Limited county dollars meant fewer county jail beds and a revolving door for criminals. Additional jail <br />beds have since opened, offering some temporary measure of relief and stimulus funds have helped meet <br />some needs in the short -run. Unfortunately, ongoing system funding solutions haven't yet been found. <br />MINUTES —City Council January 5, 2010 Page 4 <br />