CC Minutes - 04/25/11 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Carlos Barrera, 2470 Olive Street, expressed concern about the impact of a new Fred Meyer grocery store on the Civic Stadium site, which he feared would threaten already existing businesses in the neighborhood and result in a net loss of jobs. While he liked the YMCA proposal, he believed the loss of the stadium would be a tragedy. He suggested that the YMCA's proposal for four -story buildings would provoke appeals that resulted in years of delay. Perhaps the development would be lost altogether, leaving a big hole. He supported the SCS proposal, particularly its soccer element. He believed it would bring in tourist dollars from outside the community and improve the neighborhood. Christine Thompson, 2195 Olive Street, a board member of SCS, advocated for the City to play a role in the future of Civic Stadium because of its role in land use approvals and its responsibility for community development and transportation planning. She believed the SCS proposal offered unique opportunities to the community. She noted the many plans and policies that decision makers would have to weigh in making a decision about the site and the considerations that would affect their decision. Ms. Thompson asked the City Council to take the initiative in finding a solution to the future of Civic Stadium. Pat Skipper, 921 Snell Street, a board member of SCS, encouraged the council to support the SCS proposal. She believed the City had an interest in maintaining Civic Stadium as a recreational facility. She suggested the long -term economic benefits of professional sports, tourism, entertainment events, and recreation outweighed the short-tern gains of construction and retail jobs. She said the components of the two organizations' proposal could be merged to provide fitness and family recreation opportunities. Ms. Skipper reiterated NCU's interest in using the facility. She believed other sports leagues would seek to use the facility as well. She suggested the council weigh the cost of participating with the two organizations against the cost and delay associated with private development. Joyce Berm, 2440 Charnelton Street, advocated for the SCS proposal. She recommended that the City buy or lease the Civic Stadium property for community use. The City could lead in the restoration of Civic Stadium. She believed there was room on the site for the YMCA and SCS as well as other commercial entities, but such proposals took time to realize. She feared that the YMCA proposal would not only result in the demolition of the stadium but would also eliminate desirable open space. She believed there was time for the City to act if the council had the courage to do so. Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved that the council hear the remaining public testimony and postpone the final two items to April 27. Roll call vote: the motion passed unanimously. Dennis Casady, 1312 Lincoln Street, urged the City to work with SCS to preserve the stadium. He acknowledged the site was not in the list of projects to be funded through the Parks and Open Space Bond but he believed that was because it was not available at that time. He pointed out the Arlie property, recently purchased by the City for a park, was not listed either. Mr. Casady noted the many public historic structures lost to demolition and the fact many of the remaining historic structures were privately owned. He advocated for preservation of the stadium because Eugene lacked historic structures. He believed the SCS proposal represented an opportunity for Eugene to save a publicly owned historic structure. Scott Landfield, 2425 Willamette Street, commended City Manager Ruiz and his ability to bring different parties together. He wanted to see the YMCA and SCS collaborate on the site. He believed there were many residents who would like to invest in the proposal. He said the City decision would determine the fate of Civic Stadium. He did not want to give his neighborhood away to out -of -town developers. MINUTES— Eugene City Council April 25, 2011 Page 12 Regular Meeting