Item 8: URA-Riverfront URD Funds for Franklin Multiway

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government. Because this is an extremely competitive process, the proposed match is $380,000 which is a 40 percent match. Out of 1,400 applications that DOT received for the first round of TIGER funding only 51 projects were funded. The source of the TIGER II match funds is the Riverfront Urban Renewal District. There is projected to be a balance of approximately $4 million in the Riverfront Urban Renewal District fund balance by the end of FY2011. The Franklin Multiway Boulevard project has the potential to advance many of the goals and objectives included in the Riverfront Urban Renewal District Plan. Specifically, the Riverfront Urban Renewal Plan goals and objectives related to the proposed project include:  Improvement of connections between the core of downtown, Riverfront, and the University of Oregon  Strengthening of the economic and environmental conditions of the plan area and the metropolitan area  Improved access into and through the Riverfront Urban Renewal District area by transportation improvements consistent with the City’s transportation policies  Safe, direct, and attractive linkages between the Riverfront Urban Renewal District area, the University of Oregon, downtown Eugene, and the river  Improve and construct safe pedestrian amenities and bikeways throughout the plan area  Improve circulation to and through the District and coordination with other transportation systems  Encourage the development of new commercial and housing For the CCPG, there is a 20 percent match requirement and the proposed match is $300,000. The source of the match funds is Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds already allocated for land banking of affordable housing sites. These funds have already been approved by the City Council for this purpose and no further action is needed. As part of the same grant application, the City of Springfield is requesting $704,000 in TIGER II funds with $400,000 in matching funds, and requesting $600,000 in CCPG funds with $400,000 in matching funds. The TIGER II/Community Challenge grant application is due on August 23, 2010. Franklin Boulevard – Multiway Boulevard Converting Franklin Boulevard from its existing configuration to a multiway boulevard is a core component of the vision for the Walnut Station Mixed-Use Center and a key implementation strategy. Transforming the street is seen as a necessary step to encourage properties along Franklin to redevelop at higher densities and with a mix of uses. The multiway boulevard creates a different context for Franklin Boulevard by separating the through- traffic from the adjacent land uses through the construction of planted medians, access lanes and on- street parking that serves those land uses. For the pedestrians who are walking along the sidewalks adjacent to the access lanes, it feels more like they are walking along a traditional main street than a busy arterial. The multiway boulevard design supports the increased development envisioned by providing a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment. The access lane is designed as a low-speed facility that also provides a safe, comfortable route for bicyclists. The access lane and tree-lined medians also provide Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100809\S1008098.doc