CCMinutes - 06/16/04 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report and Recommendations, the suggested redevelopment of 8th Avenue with street trees, repaving, possible widening, as the connector between the downtown and the courthouse district. Continuing, Mr. Gunderson related that the enhancement of public open spaces had been a consistent feature of many of the ideas that had arisen from the design charette. He said the park block area would be connected via 8th Avenue to the courthouse area, dubbed "Cannery Square." Mr. Gunderson reported that the committee had considered the development of partnerships between entities such as the Eugene Police Department (EPD) and the Lane County Sheriff's Office (LCSO). The suggestion had been made that the Shedd Auditorium, run by the Oregon Festival of American Music (OFAM) could be approached to partner in the development of an adjacent parking garage. Mr. Gunderson gave a brief overview of the latter three principles, which included public safety services, the provision of adequate parking, and the utilization of cost-effective development approaches. Glen Svendsen, Division Manager for the Central Services Department Facilities Division, introduced the six members of the committee who were present. Mr. Taylor said it had been his honor to have served as chair of the committee and that he hoped to receive direction from the City Council on how to proceed. Ms. Nathanson arrived. Mayor Torrey called for council comments and questions. Mr. Kelly commented that there was a "lot to like" in the vision and he expressed appreciation for the hard work the committee had contributed. He approved of the collaboration and the collocation that was being considered as it indicated to citizens that the City sought to be more efficient. He thought a 20-year or 16- year horizon was too short and questioned whether, through the natural growth of the community and services, the space needs should be projected for a longer period. He acknowledged, however, that the council had before it policy principles and not a motion to endorse a specific strategy. Mr. Svendsen said the policy principles would be guiding the development of more specific plans further on. Mr. Kelly asked staff to affirm that the action sought was only approval of the policy principles. Mr. Svendsen responded that the policy principles were the basis for future plans. Mr. Kelly expressed dissatisfaction with this response. He felt the council needed to have a clear idea of whether the vote at the present work session would set strategies in motion. In response to another question from Mr. Kelly, Mr. Svendsen stated that the 1 O-year time horizon resulted from the council's direction to staff to make the horizon shorter than 20 years. He added that, though projecting longer than 20 years was difficult, the entire project would more likely have a 50-year horizon. He noted that one concept of the project was to develop buildings that could be added on to. Referring to page 5, Ms. Taylor commented that the assumption was that only timing and financing were yet to be determined. She approved of the policy principles, though felt hesitant about collocation. She did not think that the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), for instance, would want to collocate with the City as it already had its headquarters. She supported Option 2 because she wanted more public input prior to MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 2004 Page 2 Work Session