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others. She alleged that a new dormitory was being built while other dormitories were run down and in need of repair. Noting the Bus Rapid Transit corridor down the center of Franklin Boulevard, Ms. Anderson questioned whether the safety of pedestrians and students would be addressed. She asked what the development in the Riverfront Research Park would mean and why students were not being asked to contribute input. She urged the City and the University to examine the issues and not create more by extending the Riverfront Research Park. Al Urquhart, 1045 East 20th Avenue, agreed that the purpose of the amendment was to change the focus of the Urban Renewal District from that of a Riverfront Research Park to that of supporting a courthouse and the downtown area. He opposed the inclusion of the present area of the Riverfront Research Park in the new addition because the City would need to evaluate what has happened there. He averred the area was still blighted according to the report, and listed some of the reasons given in the report for the blight. He called the Riverfront Research Park a failure as a tax increment district. Drix Drixman, 307-½ East 14th Avenue, said Eugene was a magic town and that he had recently returned to live here. He remembered the river and the greenway from the 1970s, calling them precious. He asserted that the City was now thinking of taking a chunk of it and giving it to the private sector so someone could have a view from their office. He told the story of how he had shared a dormitory room with a boring person when he had attended college. He had decorated his side of the room in a lively manner while his boring roommate had done nothing. He related how, when he had finished decorating, he was stuck looking at the ~dumb" side of the room while his roommate looked at his festively decorated side of the room. He urged the city to consider that, while the office might have a beautiful view, the people from across the river would look at a building. He suggested everyone present float down the river in an inner tube during the summer and enjoy the greenery along the river. Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing. Councilor Bettman, seconded by Councilor Meisner, moved to keep the record open for seven days. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Councilor Meisner asked staff to respond to the following questions: 1) What would be the consequences or effects both financially and in potential development terms for the University of Oregon if the eastern portion of the district was removed from the urban re- newal district? 2) Is the Highway 99 couplet in the Willamette Greenway? 3) Could some information be compiled for the public to read on urban renewal and Ballot Measure 50, as tax rates could no longer be adjusted or increased with exemptions? Councilor Bettman, seconded by Councilor Kelly moved to direct the City Manager to bring back for final action the Riverfront Urban Renewal District with the follow- ing modification: - for A-1 public improvements, curb and sidewalk improvements: improvements within the renewal area will require construction and reconstruction of curb and sidewalks within the project area; the renewal agency would participate in funding sidewalk improvements including design, redesign, construction, repair, and acquisi- tion of right-of-way for sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle paths when there was no MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 9, 2004 Page 14 Regular Meeting