HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem A: Downtown Open Space Update
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UGENE ITY OUNCIL
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Work Session: Downtown Open Space Update
Meeting Date: October 25, 2006 Agenda Item Number: A
Departments: Planning and Development/Public Works Staff Contact: Nan Laurence
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5340
ISSUE STATEMENT
Last April, City Council directed staff to explore opportunities for additional green space downtown,
and report back to council within four months. This agenda item addresses the council request.
BACKGROUND
On April 19, 2006, Community Development Division staff reported to City Council on the progress
made towards implementing the Downtown Plan, including strengthening economic vitality and
reinforcing the special character of downtown. At that time, City Council directed staff to continue
these implementation efforts. The council also directed staff as follows: "Undertake a broad, high-level
planning exercise to consider potential locations for downtown green space. This exercise should also
examine (at a very rough level) potential costs and timelines. The results of this exercise should be
brought back to the City Council within four months for further deliberation and direction."
City staff members from a number of divisions have been working collaboratively on several closely
related projects impacting green and open space downtown. These projects include City Hall Master
Planning, Park Blocks Master Plan, improvements to the Farmer’s Market, and working with public and
private redevelopment opportunities. The discussion of green space opportunities has been coordinated
with these efforts as part of the ongoing implementation of the Downtown Plan.
To determine the opportunities for additional green space, staff from Public Works and the Community
Development Division divided the project into three components. First, staff completed an inventory of
existing open spaces downtown, including public and private plazas and green spaces. Second, based on
the inventory, staff brainstormed about the type of and possible locations for additional green space
opportunities. Third, staff evaluated these opportunities in the context of Great Streets, the organizing
concept for characterizing and connecting urban open spaces downtown. Each of the three components
is described below, and will be presented in a Powerpoint format at the work session on October 25,
2006.
1. Inventory
An inventory of existing open spaces downtown revealed a significant amount of open spaces and
green spaces, large and small, public and private. The spaces include parks and plazas, grass and
planted areas, and pedestrian paths. The spaces are located throughout downtown. The largest
spaces are on the edges of downtown, specifically Skinner Butte Park, the riverfront to the north and
east of downtown, and the Washington Jefferson Park to the west.
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2. Opportunities
There are opportunities throughout downtown for additional green spaces. The opportunities
include public sites, such as the expansion of the Park Blocks or the redevelopment of the EWEB
riverfront, as well as private sites that have redevelopment potential and may include public green
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space opportunities, such as the 10 and Charnelton development site. Additionally, there are
opportunities for integrating green throughout downtown, such as expanded plantings at curbs, the
Eugene Tree Foundation's Trees for Concrete program and stormwater-related landscape
improvements.
3. Great Streets
Staff analyzed existing and potential open and green space areas in the context of the vision
expressed in the Downtown Plan, specifically the Great Streets concept. Well-designed urban open
space is one of the main ideas integrated into the Great Streets concept. The concept provides a key
organizing framework for downtown open space as a significant amenity for downtown. Staff has
begun to look for opportunities to enhance the Great Streets with a range of open space and
landscape opportunities. The goal is to enhance and connect important places downtown, including
the riverfront and adjacent path system, and to contribute to the livability and identity of downtown.
This downtown open space analysis addresses the following implementation strategy for downtown:
Prepare an open space plan for downtown that includes the Park Blocks, parks adjacent to
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downtown and the riverfront path system.
Other related implementation strategies in the Downtown Plan include the following:
Link Great Streets to important public places, including urban plazas and open spaces.
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Develop a separate design strategy for each Great Street. Include urban trail and street
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improvement elements such as: public art, special planting schemes, center medians, street
lamps, benches and kiosks, banners and street (signs), information and building signs.
Encourage the creation of new special places especially along the Great Streets.
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Provide places downtown that appeal to children and families. Consider places to play or learn
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about the city. Design places with kids in mind.
Identify areas along streets that can be enhanced by landscaping, art or pedestrian amenities.
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Maintain views and access from downtown to nearby open space areas. Include signs and
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sidewalk improvements.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
Open space planning for downtownaddresses Downtown Plan and Growth Management policies. The
project does not directly address or affect City Council goals or priorities but may indirectly affect
Council Goals related to an Accessible and Thriving Culture and Recreation and Council Priorities
related to the Arts and Outdoors.
The downtown open space analysis is consistent with the policies included in the Downtown Plan.
Policies which specifically relate to open space downtown include the following:
Downtown development shall support the urban qualities of density, vitality, livability and
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diversity to create a downtown, urban environment.
Emphasize Broadway, Willamette Street, 5th and 8th Avenues as Great Streets through public
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improvements and development guidelines. Include portions of these streets as follows:
- Willamette between 5th and 13th avenues
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- Broadway between Lincoln and Hilyard
- 5th Avenue between Lincoln and High Street (with potential extension to the Willamette River)
- 8th Avenue between Willamette Street and the Willamette River
Incorporate the Willamette River as an integral element to downtown planning and development
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Enhance public places throughout downtown through the careful design of civic buildings,
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streetscapes, parks and plazas. Include public art and other elements to create special places for
all ages.
Connect special places downtown with enhanced street designs, public art, directional signs,
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transit routes, and historic markers to create an inviting and memorable route through downtown.
Promote adjacent park and open space areas as a valuable complement to downtown’s urban
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places. Improve connections between downtown and nearby nature areas.
In addition, the analysis is responsive to the following Growth Management policies:
Policy 9: Mitigate the impacts of new and/or higher density housing, in-fill, and redevelopment on
neighborhoods through design standards, open space and housing maintenance programs,
and continuing historic preservation and neighborhood planning programs.
Policy 18: Increase the amount and variety of parks and open spaces.
The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Project and Priority Plan identifies the following projects which
are consistent with this analysis:
Acquire land to provide significant riverfront open space within courthouse/cannery neighborhood
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Acquire land in front of SMJ House
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Acquire land to expand park blocks
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Acquire land to provide urban open space within Courthouse neighborhood
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Develop millrace linear park
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Provide children’s play area in downtown area
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Implement Skinner Butte Park Master Plan
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Implement SMJ House plan, including parking and access across railroad tracks
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Develop pedestrian improvements to link downtown with Skinner Butte Park, SMJ house, and
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riverfront system
COUNCIL OPTIONS
1.Request the City Manager to provide direction to staff to continue work on green space and open
space opportunities in coordination with related downtown projects, including City Hall Master
Planning, Park Blocks Master Plan, improvements to the Farmer’s Market, work with public and
private redevelopment opportunities, and other implementation efforts for the Downtown Plan.
2.Request the City Manager to provide direction to staff to discontinue or modify work on green
space and open space opportunities in coordination with related downtown projects, including
City Hall Master Planning, Park Blocks Master Plan, improvements to the Farmer’s Market,
work with public and private redevelopment opportunities, and other implementation efforts for
the Downtown Plan.
3.Take no action.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends Option 1: Direct the City Manager to provide direction to staff to
continue work on green space and open space opportunities in coordination with related downtown
projects, including City Hall Master Planning, Park Blocks Master Plan, improvements to the Farmer’s
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Market, work with public and private redevelopment opportunities, and other implementation efforts for
the Downtown Plan.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to direct staff to continue work on green space and open space opportunities in coordination with
related downtown projects, including City Hall Master Planning, Park Blocks Master Plan,
improvements to the Farmer’s Market, work with public and private redevelopment opportunities, and
other implementation efforts for the Downtown Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Nan Laurence
Telephone: 682-5340
Staff E-Mail: nan.laurence@ci.eugene.or.us
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