Item 2A - Approval of Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

B. WORK SESSION: Hospital Property Update Mr. Taylor called attention to the letter from the Chief Executive Officer of McKenzie-Willamette Hospital indicating the hospital's preference for the EWEB site. He asked Planning and Development Department Director Tom Coyle to speak on the item. Mr. Coyle reported that representatives of EWEB, McKenzie-Willamette Hospital, and the City of Eugene had met on an ongoing basis to address many of the issues associated with the development opportunity on the EWEB site. He noted the issues, some of which relate to development issues, zoning and land use issues, and transportation issues. He said three critical components for the development opportunity had emerged. One of these was time, as the hospital felt a strong need to expedite relocation. Another issue was cost, predominantly a buyer and seller issue. He related that the third element was the issue of access as it was critical to the function of the hospital. He stated that the proposal for the access had been the extension of Patterson Street with an underpass to the EWEB property and the extension of Agate Street north of the Riverfront Research Park accessing from the south. The third access point, from 4th or 5th avenues did not need improvement. Mr. Coyle stated that subsequent to City Council direction on the access proposal, staff would develop a cost estimate and a budgeting plan for the review of the council. He added that the City would speak to its partners on shared costs. For the present meeting, he said access would be the primary issue. Mr. Kelly expressed appreciation for the work that the City staff and staff-members from EWEB and McKenzie-Willamette Hospital had done. He did not think the recommended motion indicated that the City was thinking in terms of shared cost. He felt it said the City would pay for it. Mr. Taylor cited a number of funding mechanisms such as opportunities for State and federal grants, County Road Funds, Stormwater User Fees, and the Urban Renewal District, among others. He explained that, should the City Council approve the suggested motion, staff would return with strategies for financing the transportation facilities for council consideration. City Attorney Glenn Klein suggested adding to the end of the motion the following: ~... assuming that a financing plan is prepared by staff and brought back before the council for approval." Mr. Kelly shared his remaining concern, that of the precise routing from Agate Street to the hospital site. He said he would be more comfortable looking at a more recent map for this. Mr. Taylor assured him that the most recent map of the area would be used by the designing engineers. Ms. Bettman averred that more options should have been brought before the council. She said the Senate of the University of Oregon was on record as being unanimously opposed the alignment of Agate Street. She urged the council, given that this could be an issue and that timing was important, to consider another overpass closer to the other one. She opined the option before the council guaranteed opposition and suggested the language of the motion provide more flexibility. Ms. Nathanson expressed her willingness to support moving forward on location of a hospital in the downtown area of Eugene. Noting that the hospital was not the only entity investing in the area, she asked which option for access was helpful or not helpful on the ability of the other properties to be redeveloped. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 2004 Page 6 Work Session