HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-15 - City Council Newsletter
City of Eugene
125 East 8 Avenue, 2 Floor
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Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
January 22, 2015
IN THIS EDITION
NEWS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED ABOUT UPCOMING WORK ON WEST EUGENE EMX PROJECT
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION FAIR AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CITY’S ‘GOOD EARTH’ BOOTH FOCUSES ON CLEAN WATER FOR ALL
AROUND THE CITY
News Conference Scheduled about Upcoming Work on West Eugene EmX Project
The next phase of the West Eugene EmX project is scheduled to begin next week. At a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 27,
at 10 a.m., staff from Lane Transit District and the City of Eugene will describe the planned road, sidewalk and
infrastructure improvements and show how five miles of new landscaping will put the “right tree in the right place.” The
news conference will take place on West 7 Avenue, east of Garfield Street.
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The City’s Public Works Urban Forestry staff has been closely involved in the
West Eugene EmX landscape plan to ensure that the new street trees and
landscaping will have better growing conditions than exist alon g the route
today. Approximately 260 trees will be removed along the EmX corridor to
meet requirements that streets along the route be widened to maintain traffic
flow. The widened streets will also provide more room for larger planting
areas and wider sidewalks. More than 460 trees will be replanted, meaning
that 200 additional trees will be growing along the West Eugene EmX corridor
when the project is completed.
Nearly four years ago, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of a route
that runs along 6, 7 and 11 avenues. Since then, extensive planning and
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design work has focused on engineering a project that extends fast, frequent
transit service linking west Eugene to downtown Eugene and Springfield. Pre-
construction activities have included underground utility relocation and tree
root survey work. The next phase includes removing about 150 trees along 6
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and 7 avenues and staging materials and equipment. Actual road work is
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expected to begin in March.
LTD has mailed postcards to 16,000 residents and property owners along the West Eugene EmX route. A factsheet titled
Landscape Improvements provides detailed information about how the right tree in the right place equals a healthy
landscape. For more information, contact LTD’s Project Information Officer Lisa VanWinkle at 541-682-6212, or Public
Works Project Engineering Liaison Kerry Werner at 541-682-5477.
Alternative Education Fair at Eugene Public Library
Parents, teens, and kids: drop in at the Downtown Eugene Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 31, between 1 and 4 p.m., for the
Alternative Education Fair. Admission is free.
The Alternative Education Fair will include displays and representatives from more than a dozen local private schools,
charter schools, Eugene District 4J alternative programs, and home-schooling organizations, plus other educational
resources available through the Eugene Public Library, including the online Homework Centers for kids and teens.
This event is co-sponsored by the Eugene Public Library and the Eugene Sudbury School. For more information, contact the
Eugene Public Library at 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
January 22, 2015
City’s ‘Good Earth’ Booth Focuses on Clean Water for All
Attendees who stop by booth 606 in the Good Garden section at this year's Good Earth Home, Garden and Living Show can
learn about many stormwater programs that benefit children, pets and the environment.
While there are several well-known ways that Public Works staff protects local waterways - for example, collecting leaves
or sweeping streets - visitors will also learn about many less visible services provided. For instance, the City maintains
more than 570 miles of stormwater pipes and cleans more than 14,700 catch basins and inlets. Staff monitors water quality
in local waterways, distributes flood protection information to help property owners keep their properties safe, and
provides instructional materials for teachers.
Booth visitors who want to test their knowledge and answer a question from the spinning wheel, can participate in a
drawing for a gardening or canine gift basket. Plus, visitors can sign up for the new e-newsletter, Raindrop to River, which
features articles about keeping waterways clean and healthy.
The Good Earth Home and Garden Show starts Friday, Jan. 23, at 5 p.m. and continues until 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25, at the
Lane County Events Center. For more information, contact Stormwater Information Specialist Kathy Eva, Public Works
Administration, at 541-682-2739 or kathy.a.eva@ci.eugene.or.us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
January 22, 2015