CC Newsletter - 09/09/04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving ahead on a $6.2 million project to increase river flows through the Delta Ponds to provide better habitat for salmon and native plants and animals. Preliminary work on that project, which includes the construction of additional recreation facilities, could begin next spring. For more information, contact Carolyn Weiss, Delta Ponds Recreation Program Manager, at 682-4914. Parade Entry, Depot Dedication Event Celebrate Passenger Rail Service in Eu.qene Councilors have two opportunities this month to show local support for passenger rail service. The Eugene Celebration parade on Saturday, September 18, will include an entry jointly produced by Amtrak and the City of Eugene. Marchers in the parade entry will toot on wooden train whistles as an accompaniment to a rousing selection of recorded train music. The dedication of the newly rehabilitated Eugene Depot will take place on Monday, September 20, at 10 a.m., with Councilor Scott Meisner as master of ceremonies. Invitations are being mailed today to more than 250 people, including the Mayor and City Council. To take part in the parade entry, or for more information on the dedication event, call Eric Jones, public affairs manager for Eugene Public Works, at 682-5523. City Project to Explore Improvements for Chambers Area This month marks the beginning of an important City project for residents and businesses in parts of the Jefferson/Westside and Far West neighborhoods. In late September, the City of Eugene Planning Division will initiate a series of neighborhood discussions about the effects of new development on neighborhood character. The project, focusing on properties in the vicinity of West 11th Avenue and Chambers Street, is called Chambers Reconsidered, and will concentrate on the preparation of design standards and guidelines to be applied to new residential and commercial infill and redevelopment projects in the study area. The Chambers Reconsidered project is an outgrowth of previous work related to implementation of the mixed-use development concept in the Chambers area that occurred in 1998 and 2002. From those discussions, area residents expressed broad support for crafting standards that would provide for development that was more compatible with the existing neighborhood character and for making improvements for pedestrian safety and comfort. This project will focus only on those two goals. The mixed-use development concept is at the heart of Eugene's transportation and growth management strategies. These strategies are the result of broad community support for the Eugene Growth Mana.qement Policies that were adopted by the City Council in 1998. Those policies support a vision of Eugene's future that would maintain the existing urban growth boundary as long as possible by encouraging higher density, mixed-use development in select locations throughout the metropolitan area. Both the Metro Plan and Growth Management Policies envision mixed-use developments taking place in a hierarchy of activity centers that start at the neighborhood scale, extend to commercial centers at varying scales, and culminate in large employment centers. Mixed-use development is a major step towards realizing citizens' vision of Eugene's future. The development of design standards and guidelines for the Chambers district will enable this neighborhood to evolve slowly while meeting citizen needs and expectations, and improving the quality of life for all residents. Because the Eugene Planning Division seeks to promote livability in Eugene by balancing the needs of all citizens, involvement of Chambers area residents, businesses, and property owners in the final plan will be encouraged. The first public meeting on the Chambers Reconsidered project will be September 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at Cesar Chavez Elementary, 1510 W. 14th Ave. For more information, contact Allen Lowe at 682-5113 or allen.d.lowe~ene.or, us. Library Assistant Job Information Night Have you ever wondered what library assistants do at the Eugene Public Library? You're invited to attend an information session about Library Assistant 1 positions at the Eugene Public Library on Thursday, September 16, 5:30-7:30 pm, in EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 September 16, 2004