Ordinance No. 20513 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Downtown Riverfront Specific Area Plan D. DESIGN PROCESS June - August 2009 The design process began with substantial research, site visits, and more than 125 stakeholder interviews to develop an understanding of pivotal issues and community visions related to the riverfront. Material from this research phase was presented in biweekly work sessions with the Community Advisory Team. The consensus approval of seven Guiding Principles gave additional definition to the work and documented the CAT's shared values. A set of project assumptions established critical physical constraints to the design process, and a series of use scenarios to test the plan's flexibility were also approved by consensus. September 2009 - January 2010 At the first major public event in September 2009 (attended by 150 people), the design presentation focused on site context, history, vision, and what types of elements a master plan can control. The following weekend, Rowell Brokaw Architects led a pro bono design charrette with the support of the local AIA -SWO chapter. The design team then developed several design alternatives that were consistent with the CAT's Guiding Principles, Downtown Plan criteria, and preliminary input from the public. In November 2009, a series of design options were presented at a second public event (attended by 200 people). Hundreds of comments were collected and reviewed by the design team following the small and large group discussion at the event. Strong public support for several themes had emerged: • Make it a mixed -use, urban riverfront • Integrate the river and city environments • Improve connections and access for all • Create new habitat and open space • Celebrate the history of the site • Allow for future amenities like Millrace • Provide places for people to gather • Include a new connection to Alton Baker • Create something unique, authentic January- March 2010 The single design option was then developed with additional input collected at community presentations and meetings with the local human rights committee on accessibility (HRAC). The single design adjusted the location of the primary street and included a vision for the public open space defined by native plant communities, habitat enhancement and public gathering space. The creation of public amenities along the riverfront was emphasized, and opportunities to "touch the water" were removed in response to concerns for safety along the swift river edge. An independent ecological assessment of the design was also completed, and the final design was found to be largely consistent with its recommendations. When the single design option was presented to 300 people on March 3, 2010, more than 80% signaled their approval using electronic polling devices that were given to all in attendance. On May 9, 2010, after two final months of additional refinement and work sessions with the CAT, the final design was presented at Open House event on the EWEB site. Approximately 200 people attended to see the completed plan and tour the site. E. MASTER PLAN APPROVAL April -June 2010 By the time the project was complete, more than 1,000 community members had actively participated in the development of the design. The master plan received consensus approval from the Community Advisory Team on April 28, 2010. The plan was then unanimously approved for adoption by the EWEB Board of Commissioners on June 1, 2010. F. LAND USE PHASE The Board - approved master plan for the EWEB site articulates a shared vision for the redevelopment of a vibrant, green, mixed -use neighborhood along Eugene's Downtown Riverfront. The plan's framework includes 8 acres of public open space, dramatically improved public access to the riverfront, new redevelopment blocks at the heart of the city, and specific design elements that teach about our river, our history, and our city (see Chapter 3: Vision). November 2010 - December 2011 To codify the master plan, a second phase of work was contracted to develop a new Special Area Zone, associated plan amendments, and this Specific Area Plan. Rowell Brokaw Architects ■ 9