Item 4: MUPTE for Student Housing Project

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ATTACHMENT H Statement from Downtown Neighborhood Association Introduction The Capstone student housing project, proposed for the site of the former Peace Health clinic on 13th and Olive, is on the southern border of the Downtown Neighborhood. It has the potential for dramatic impact, both positive and negative, on the Eugene Downtown community, and on the city as a whole. The Downtown Neighborhood Association has taken considerable interest in this project as we have tried to “Get To Yes” in a positive approach to appropriate urban and neighborhood development. The following is a summary of our efforts to understand the implications of the Capstone project, identify obstacles, and seek to find ways to overcome those obstacles. Please note: We are not addressing the specific issue of whether or not it is appropriate to use a MUPTE tool as means of achieving this project. We have instead focused on the merits of the project itself; MUPTE is a decision best left to experts in the field. DNA’s “expertise” is limited to caring, knowledge and understanding of the neighborhood and of our neighbors. What DNA has done to understand the Capstone Project proposal  Two Downtown Neighborhood Association general meetings. Estimated total attendance of the meetings: 110.  Community Forum with City Club of Eugene. Estimated attendance: 150.  Meetings with Steve Master and Capstone representatives. Members of the DNA Steering Committee were frequently participants in these meetings.  Contacts with Olive Plaza residents, the neighbors adjacent to the proposed project, in addition to the two general meetings. Most of these neighbors are seniors who are extremely concerned about the possible consequences of this project on the quality of their lives.  Several meetings with individual citizens, both Downtown neighbors and non-neighbors.  Meetings, discussions, and email exchanges with city staff  Lengthy discussion of the Capstone project by the DNA Steering Committee.  Meetings and discussions with some City Council members and Mayor Piercy.  As of April 13: 325 emails received on the subject. What we’ve learned Downtown Neighbors’ concerns can be sorted into the following general categories: Impact on the Neighborhood 1200 new residents all at one time is a huge change for a neighborhood currently with 2500 residents. These new residents are monocultural in the sense that they are all students. Downtown neighbors would very much prefer mixed housing to maintain neighborhood diversity. (Contrary to the thoughts of a local journalist, Downtown is not a monoculture of seniors!) Transportation Buses: Will the quality of LTD service be maintained, even though there will be such increased demand? Cars: How can we discourage the use of automobiles?