Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem C: Update on Farmers' Market ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Update on Farmers’ Market Meeting Date: November 13, 2006 Agenda Item Number: C Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Glen Svendsen www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5008 ISSUE STATEMENT The FY07 Urban Renewal Agency budget includes $300,000 for capital improvements to benefit the Lane County Farmers’ Market. The recent Park Blocks Master Plan recommends improvements to the current County-owned site used by Farmers’ Market. The site is also included as one of the primary alternatives for the location of a new City Hall complex. The purpose of this work session is to update the council on issues related to the timing and scope of this capital project. BACKGROUND On April 19, 2006, the council directed the City Manager to pursue interim and longer term projects to accommodate the needs of farmers participating in the Farmers’ Market downtown. During discussion of the motion, the intent was clarified that projects related to electricity, water and infrastructure could be funded in the near-term, and longer-term projects, such as a semi- permanent structure, could be brought to the council in the future. On May 17, 2006, the Eugene Budget Committee adopted a recommendation to include $300,000 in the capital budget to fund improvements to the Farmers’ Market. During discussion of the motion, the intent was clarified that the focus was on the present downtown site. The capital funds were to be a placeholder, to ensure funding was set aside in fiscal year 2008. The adopted motion stated that proposed improvements for Farmers’ Market would be brought to the council for approval. The Eugene Park Blocks Master Plan, issued in October 2006, includes a listing of improvements for the current Farmers’ Market space, as well as a vision for the long-term re- establishment of the northwest Park Block that could be the site of a permanent, expanded Farmers’ Market. Attachment A lists the recommended near-term and long-term improvements to Farmers’ Market included in the Park Blocks Master Plan. Also in October, the council identified the Lane County property encompassing the area used by Farmers’ Market as one of the two primary sites for a new City Hall complex. In early October, City staff met with Lane County staff and the Board of County Commissioners Facility Committee to discuss issues around the City’s potential interest in obtaining the County’s “butterfly” parking lot. City staff committed to work with the County to determine how City use of the site could achieve benefits for both the County and the City. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061113\S061113C.doc Placing City Hall on a portion of the County property would require reconstruction of the “butterfly” parking structure and redevelopment of the site used by Farmers’ Market. While use of this site for a new City Hall would be consistent with the long-term vision in the Park Blocks Master Plan, it would require replacement of any near-term capital improvements to the current Farmers’ Market space. This means that there is a chance that investments made now would be replaced within three to five years with more permanent improvements. Representatives of Farmers’ Market have expressed the desire that a larger analysis of their industry’s current and future site and space requirements is needed before plans for improvement of the existing site are finalized. There is some interest within Farmers’ Market to look at other sites, either in place of or in addition to the County site, as a potential future home for Farmers’ Market. One concern is that investing in capital improvements at the current site will reduce interest in taking a broader look at Farmers’ Market’s overall needs and opportunities. Given these conditions, staff is recommending that the development of specific capital improvement projects for the current Farmers’ Market site be placed on hold until a final decision is made on the site for the new City Hall complex. This more closely matches the original intent of considering the funding for Farmers Market improvements as a placeholder until FY08. This will also allow additional time for Farmers’ Market to better define their specific needs at the current site, and its relation to their longer-term business plans. If the County property is not selected as the site for a new City Hall, specific improvements for the Farmers’ Market site will be identified in coordination with County staff and Lane County Farmers’ Market. These proposed improvements would be brought to the council for review, in keeping with the original Budget Committee action. If the County property is selected as the site for a future City Hall, planning for improvements to the Farmers’ Market should be incorporated into the discussion on re-establishing the historic northwest Park Block. RELATED CITY POLICIES This project is related to the City Council Priority Issue of concluding the development phase of the City Hall Complex. COUNCIL OPTIONS The council could accept the staff recommendation to defer additional project planning until a final decision is made on siting a new City Hall, or it could direct staff to proceed with planning and implementing the short-term improvements identified in the Park Blocks Master Plan, within the current funding. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends placing the Farmers’ Market improvements project on hold until a final decision on the location of a future City Hall is made. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061113\S061113C.doc SUGGESTED MOTION Move to adopt the recommendation to place the Farmers’ Market capital improvement project on hold until a final decision is made on the siting of a new City Hall complex. ATTACHMENTS A. Park Blocks Master Plan Recommended Improvements for Farmers’ Market FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Glen Svendsen Telephone: 682-5008 Staff E-Mail: glen.l.svendsen@ci.eugene.or.us L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061113\S061113C.doc ATTACHMENT A Park Blocks Master Plan Recommended Improvements for Farmers’ Market Short-Term: 1.Remove elevated platform at north edge of market area 2.Remove drinking fountain pedestal adjacent to platform 3.Remove basalt wall running north/south at mid-block 4.Pave or redesign gravel area on east side of butterfly lot 5.Install ground cover, pavers or grating in exposed areas 6.Review removal or replacement of trees on east end of market area 7.Add water vaults in several locations 8.Repair broken pavement 9.Restore lawn and repair irrigation system 10.Prune trees on west side of market area, remove dead limbs 11.Remove ivy 12.Add power outlets as needed 13.Add curb ramp(s) to improve accessibility 14.Repair/replace bike rack and determine best location 15.Work with Farmers’ Market to reconfigure booth area to maximize layout Long-Term: 1.Incorporate increased Farmers’ Market area in a new northwest Park Block 2.Provide a permanent or semi-permanent structure to facilitate set-up L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061113\S061113C.doc