HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric Review Board Recommendations 6-24-19 June 2019 1
TO: EUGENE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: EUGENE HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD
SUBJECT: DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT PLAN (CA 19-01), AREA WEST OF COBURG
ROAD/FERRY STREET BRIDGE
DATE: June 24, 2019
______________________________________________________________________________
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL:
The Historic Review Board (HRB) has reviewed the application and the materials provided by Planning
staff regarding possible designs and the proposed rezoning for the area around 4th Avenue, west of the
Ferry Street Bridge. While we are very supportive of the objectives for reconnecting downtown Eugene
to the Willamette River and the redevelopment of the EWEB/cannery site, the HRB would like to submit
recommendations about the rezoning and design standards - specifically for the area west of the Ferry
Street Bridge and north of 4th Avenue.
Atrium Building
99 West 10th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
Phone: 541-682-5377
Fax: 541-682-5572
www.eugene-or.gov/planning
June 2019 2
The area mentioned above contains several historic structures listed as City Landmarks and on the
National Register of Historic Places or, in some cases, both. This area also sits on the east edge of the
East Skinner Butte Landmark Area and just north of the 5th Avenue Market district, which are integral to
the history of Eugene and Lane County. As a board, we believe it is our responsibility to advocate for
maintaining the historic character that the area currently possesses. To be more specific, this area to the
west of the Ferry Street Bridge is much different than the main body of the Downtown Riverfront
project. It is not an empty site. Instead, it is part of an urban context and part of a mixed-use
neighborhood that includes many residences. It is also part of the fabric of historic structures in and
near downtown Eugene. From a planning and design point of view it should be treated differently than
the development of the site that is east of the Ferry Street Bridge. The physical design criteria described
so far in the rezoning of the 4 parcels north of 4th Ave has mostly been limited to setbacks and building
height. We believe more can and should be done in order to better address the issues associated with
integrating new development into the existing neighborhood and its historic context.
For example, we hope that the designs would ensure street level activities and building entryways that
orient themselves to the sidewalks, streets, and other public spaces. We also hope that buildings that
front major public assets would have active uses on the ground floor. Furthermore, we hope that
building edges might have some variety and transition spaces not unlike the porches of many of the
existing structures in the neighborhood.
We realize that our comments come late in this process, but we know that the City Manager and
Planning staff will continue to work with the developer during the design of the proposed buildings. We
respectfully request that the Council ask the City Manager and Planning staff to further examine these
issues of integration and encourage a higher level of detailed design work oriented toward the existing
neighborhood, specifically the historic context of that neighborhood.
As a City Commission interested in and responsible for preservation and enhancement of historic City
resources, we make ourselves available to review or assist in any relevant way during this process.
Please ask the City Manager or Planning staff to call on us. We would love to help make this portion of
the Riverfront Project even better.
Respectfully submitted by the Eugene Historic Review Board