Item B: Core Campus Application for MUPTE for 505 East Broadway

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NOBEL FLANNERY Amanda Subject:RE: The Core Buiding From: Gary Gentry [mailto:grgentry@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 9:58 AM To: *Eugene Mayor, City Council, and City Manager Subject: The Core Buiding Dear Mayor Piercy, Council Members and Mr. Ruiz, I live in Eugene and care about how the decisions made for the city that affect its future, especially those relating to our downtown areas. I was dismayed to read about the Core proposal in the Register Guard recently. I believe the Core proposal would be inappropriate for not only the specific location planned, but also for the future development of the downtown areas as a whole, and for the lack of substantial revenue to be generated to the benefit of the city. The 12 story building would be far too large for the area – it would be out of character with our downtown, would cast shadows taking away from the openness of the area, and would result in traffic and congestion that the city streets are not designed to handle. Additional tax revenue for the city is certainly needed, but this is the wrong vehicle to accomplish it, and the break given the developer is out of proportion to the benefit derived by the city. I feel the results of this project would not truly add either to the city's liveability or, in the end, its long-term revenue. Having moved to Eugene from St. Louis, MO and having seen these types of projects before – those that are out of character for an area - I’ve seen the negative impacts to a city. And the resulting “white elephant” for the city is a long-term burden that planners don’t often take into account. We should not let immediate needs dictate decisions that will have long-term negative impacts. I also believe that student housing in Eugene is overbuilt, and several recent RG articles confirm this. Enrollment at UO is certainly leveling out, and will undoubtedly begin to decrease over the next few years as a result of higher education moving more and more into the online world. This article from the Christian The End of College? How online Science Monitor Weekly issue for this week, was splashed on its cover: " learning will transform traditional education ". Go to this link for the full article: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2013/0602/How-online-learning-is-reinventing-college?nav=87-frontpage- . entryInsideMonitor This change is happening now, with enormous free online courses offered by some of our finest universities. As costs for campus learning continue to escalate, students may not fill student housing buildings. In ten years, the proposed 12 story building could be a huge liability for Eugene, costing the city dearly. I would hope that this type of project will not be allowed to move forward to the detriment of all of us. With the best of hopes for our city, Gary Gentry 1