Item A: South Willamette Street Improvement Plan

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: South Willamette Street Improvement Plan Meeting Date: January 30, 2013 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Chris Henry www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-8472 ISSUE STATEMENT The Eugene City Council will receive a progress update from staff and consultants about the South Willamette Street Improvement Plan. The South Willamette Street Improvement Plan will develop a complete street design plan for an active transportation corridor (providing for walking, biking, transit access, motoring and business access) that can be adopted and advanced as a capital improvement project for construction. The project team will share details of community involvement, what has been learned so far, a range of street design concepts resulting from that engagement, and the schedule for developing the plan. The council will have an opportunity to ask questions about street design elements, discuss community issues, provide feedback, and discuss its role in the process. BACKGROUND The South Willamette Street Improvement Plan is exploring options for people to safely walk, bike, take the bus, or drive in an eight-block study area of Willamette Street from 24th Avenue to 32nd Avenue. The City and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have contracted with a consultant team of transportation engineers and urban design planners led by DKS Associates (with assistance from OTAK), which includes Cogito, locally based specialists to coordinate public involvement. The goal of this study is to help South Willamette Street become a vibrant urban corridor accessible by bicycle, foot, car, and bus. Today, Willamette Street is heavily used to reach many popular destinations, yet it is uninviting to pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and motorists alike. For years, many residents and business owners have shared complaints about the poor conditions on Willamette Street for walking and biking and the need to do something about it. The plan aims to support existing businesses and the commercial district’s vitality; create a balanced multi-modal transportation system; further City planning efforts to identify compact growth and redevelopment opportunities; and foster a well-informed and involved community supportive of the plan. The results of this project will serve as the street design portion of the South Willamette Concept Plan. The South Willamette Concept Plan is a pilot of the area planning process, an important S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130130\S130130A.doc