HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 12/06/07EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
December 6, 2007
City of Eugene
777 Pearl Street, Room 105
Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
WORK PROGRESSES ON COURTHOUSE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
ALPINE ADVENTURES RECRUITS VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST ADAPTIVE SKIERS
FIRE PREVENTION OFFICE SHOWS GIVING SPIRIT
FUN FOR TEENS AT THE LIBRARY
AROUND THE CITY
Work Progresses on Courthouse Transportation Improvements
Work on the second phase of transportation
improvements in the area of the new federal
courthouse is about 35% completed, and the
next stage of construction is scheduled to
begin in January 2008. The entire project is
scheduled to be completed in late 2008.
The first stage of Phase 2 construction began
in July and focused primarily on extending
Hilyard Street from Franklin Boulevard along
the south side of the railroad tracks and
connecting to the new roadway on the north
side of the new courthouse. Work also
included reconstructing 8th Avenue from Ferry
Street to the new section of Hilyard. Once
street lighting, traffic signals, landscaping and
extension (highlighted in yellow) will be finished next
Hilyardspring,
other finishing touches are completed, the
providing a new through route for traffic on Highway 99 from Franklin Blvd
(above) to Sixth Avenue (below)
Hilyard extension will be opened, probably in
late spring 2008. Westbound through traffic
on Highway 99 North will then be routed along
the extension to a direct connection with 6th
Avenue at High Street. In January, crews
from Wildish Construction, working under
contract with the Oregon Department of
Transportation and the City of Eugene, will
improve that connection by reconstructing
about 250 feet of the existing traffic lanes
under the Ferry Street Bridge viaduct just east
of High Street. Project staff from Public Works
Engineering decided to wait until after the
holidays to start that work to mitigate traffic
and weather concerns. Later in the summer,
roadwork also will be carefully scheduled to
not conflict with the Olympic trials.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
December 6, 2007
Elsewhere in the project area, the bike path connection between the South Bank Trail and Hilyard Street
(including the railroad crossing at the east end of 8th Avenue) is now open. Signs direct cyclists and
pedestrians to the new connection. Late in spring 2008 a new bicycle-pedestrian path parallel to the new
Hilyard extension is expected to open, providing a new off-street connection to the north downtown area.
The Phase 2 construction contract is approximately $4 million and is part of a $9 million overall effort that
began in 2006 to improve transportation facilities in the new federal courthouse district. When Phase 2 is
completed late in 2008, the new transportation system will also include an at-grade crossing of 8th
Avenue at Mill Street, resurfaced roadways throughout the project area and amenities designed to
strengthen the connection between the courthouse district and the downtown area west of Mill Street.
For more information, contact Project Manager Joe Ramirez at 682-5228.
Alpine Adventures Recruits Volunteers to Assist Adaptive Skiers
As it has done for the past several years, Eugene Recreation’s Outdoor
Program is recruiting volunteers for the area’s premier skiing program
for children and adults with physical disabilities, Alpine Adventures.
Through this program, people age 8 and up and any experience level
can enjoy Alpine, Cross Country and Telemark skiing every Friday,
January through March.
Volunteers assist with instruction and general adapted skiing
procedures, but don’t need previous knowledge of adapted skiing. The
$150 cost for Alpine Adventures program includes adapted ski
equipment, transportation, lift ticket and instruction. To volunteer with
Alpine Adventures or for more information, call Kellie Nemke at 682-
5329.
Fire Prevention Offices Shows Giving Spirit
The Fire Prevention staff at Eugene Fire & EMS partnered once again this year with ElderCare, a Lane
Council of Governments Senior & Disabled Services program, to provide gift packages to local seniors
who live alone and have no family in the area. Donating personal resources and time, the staff prepared
38 Christmas bags and filled them with a combination of useful and festive items including socks or
slippers, kitchen towels, fruit, sweets, and night lights. The packages will be distributed at this year's
ElderCare Christmas party at Willamalane Adult Activity Center. This is the third year that Fire Prevention
has participated in the program. For more information, please contact Deputy Fire Marshal Faye Forhan
or Office Manager Louise Dwyer at 682-5411.
Fun for Teens at the Library
On Friday, December 7, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., middle and high schoolers are invited to drop in at the Eugene
Public Library's Sheldon Branch for a free Teen Game Night. New and unusual board and card games
will be provided, including video and computer games or "bring your own." Chris Ballowe, gamer
extraordinaire, teaches new games and there will be pizza for everyone.
The Teen Book Club goes to the movies in December with Watership Down by Richard Adams. The
story is about a society of rabbits forced to flee the destruction of their home by a land developer.
Discover their fascinating culture as they search for a safe haven, facing danger at every turn. Visit the
Downtown Teen desk anytime to pre-register and pick up the book. Meet up to talk about the book and
watch the movie together on Wednesday, December 19, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., at the Downtown Library. For
more information, call the Eugene Public Library at 682-8316.
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December 6, 2007