HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 07/19/07
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
July 19, 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
NEW HARRY POTTER BOOK ARRIVES AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
WEST BROADWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE
SUMMER SWIMMING ENROLLMENTS UP
ND
WORK TO BEGIN ON 2 PHASE OF COURTHOUSE DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
CELEBRATING HULT 25--SUMMER @ THE HULT
CULTURAL POLICY REVIEW REPORT TO BE PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL
AROUND THE CITY
New Harry Potter Book Arrives at Eugene Public Library
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh
and final book in the internationally-beloved series by
J.K. Rowling, has "apparated" deep inside the
workings of Eugene Public Library.
Kept under lock and key until its release date, as
required by contract, the books will be ready for
readers when the Library opens at 10 a.m. on
Saturday, July 21.
Library cardholders have already placed 283
reservations for 80 copies of the new book. An
additional 20 copies will go directly to the shelves.
Fortunately, many Potter fans read at a rapid pace,
making each new volume available for the next
borrower surprisingly soon. The Library has also ordered copies of the audio version, which is expected
to arrive in tape and CD versions shortly.
Hundreds of Hogwarts students, magic folk, and Muggles danced together at the Library last month at a
Wizard Rock Concert, pictured. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library, 682-5450.
West Broadway Advisory Committee Update
The West Broadway Advisory Committee (WBAC) has met three times so far, most recently on
Wednesday, July 18, 2007. The meetings focus on the desired mix of uses and parking options for the
redevelopment of the two block West Broadway Redevelopment Area. Additional WBAC meetings are
scheduled for July 23, and August 8, and 15.
Three public events are planned: a public information session on Friday, August 3, coinciding with the
First Friday Art Walk, and two public involvement sessions on August 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,
and the evening of August 22. HDR Town Planning and ECO Northwest, the hired consultants, will
facilitate the meetings and the public events. A comprehensive collection of information on the WBAC
and materials from the consultant is available on the City’s website: www.eugene-or.gov/westbroadway.
This site is updated on a regular basis. The site also includes the opportunity for individuals to add their
names to an interested parties list. For more information, contact Denny Braud, senior development
analyst, at denny.braud@ci.eugene.or.us, or 682-5536.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
July 19, 2007
Summer Swimming Enrollments Up
Youth are flocking to Recreation Services’ Aquatics
program. The Summer Swim and Water Polo League
(SSWPL) is at capacity at all three pools with 105 youth
participating and a waiting list of 30. That’s a 50%
increase over the number of youth who enrolled last
year; and an 87% increase over enrollment in 2005, the
first year of the program.
The SSWPL is designed to introduce youth ages 8-14
to the world of competitive swimming and at just $20 for
10 weeks of programming, it’s among the best values of
the summer. Youth are involved in two team-oriented
practices each week and a competition every Friday.
SSWPL also provides an opportunity for older youth
experienced in competitive swimming to mentor and
Team from Amazon Pool with their coach, Jim Koh, after their
coach younger swimmers.
first competition.
The City’s Learn to Swim programs have seen increased numbers, too. Some 16,775 children and youth
enrolled in the programs in fiscal year 2007—an increase of more than 1,100 swimmers over the same
time period in FY06. For more information contact Aquatics Manager Doug Smith at 682-6336.
nd
Work to Begin on 2 Phase of Courthouse District Transportation Project
The second phase of construction to improve transportation facilities in the new federal courthouse
district is scheduled to begin Monday, July 23. The project is a cooperative effort involving the City of
Eugene and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Bids for the $4 million project
were opened in mid-May, and
Wildish Construction Co. of
Eugene was selected as the
general contractor. Construction
is expected to occur in several
stages, with final completion of
the project scheduled for fall
2008.
The second-phase work includes
reconstructing 8th Avenue
between Ferry and Hilyard
streets, building a new section of
Hilyard Street next to the
railroad tracks from Ferry Street
to Broadway, adding capacity for
southbound traffic in the area of
Mill and 8th, and installing new
traffic signals on 8th Avenue at Mill and Hilyard streets.
Improvements at 8th and Mill will enhance the connection between downtown and the new Wayne Morse
Federal Courthouse and the Willamette River. The existing traffic signal at Broadway and Hilyard will be
reconstructed to allow for two new right turn lanes onto the new section of Hilyard from Broadway to High
Street to reduce the volume of traffic at 8th and Mill. The project also includes repaving portions of
Franklin Boulevard, Broadway, 7th Avenue, the Ferry Street viaduct offramps and Mill Street. Other
features of this phase include amenities such as wider sidewalks, a pedestrian/bicycle path parallel to the
railroad tracks, reconstructed driveways, pedestrian crosswalks, decorative streetlights, landscaping,
stormwater swales and on-street parking.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
July 19, 2007
The bulk of the funding for the second phase improvements will come from federal highway funds.
Additional project funding is coming from Lane County and from Eugene’s downtown urban renewal
district. There will be no direct assessments to property owners.
The first phase of the courthouse district street improvements was completed in September 2006. The
first phase included improving 8th Avenue between Mill and Ferry streets and Ferry Street from
Broadway to 8th Avenue, constructing new roadways on the east and north sides of the new courthouse,
and installing wider sidewalks, decorative streetlights, landscaping, stormwater swales and onstreet
parking.
Much of the construction in Phase 2 will affect primarily those streets within the courthouse district. The
City is working closely with residents, businesses, and property owners in the district to minimize
inconveniences and disruptions during construction. Traffic impacts and delays are to be expected on
Franklin, Broadway and Mill Street when curbs, sidewalks, traffic signals and new asphalt paving are
being constructed. Signs and flaggers will direct traffic in the construction zones. Traffic updates will be
provided at www.eugene-or.gov/traffic and on the metro road work hotline, 984-8484. More information
is available at www.eugene-or.gov/pwprojects (click on the Courthouse Transportation link), or by
contacting Project Manager Joe Ramirez at 682-5228.
Celebrating Hult 25--Summer @ the Hult
The first two of five free Summer @ the Hult events are
taking place this weekend at the Hult Center. The first
Complicated
fantastic concert features on Saturday, July 21,
at 4 p.m. on the Hult Center Plaza (between the Eugene
Hilton and the Hult Center). The community is invited to
experience the eclectic array of harmonic sound for the
senses as five talented women rock and wail to songs
spanning five decades. Lead singer Amy Picard pours her
heart and soul into each song, while the other members
create tight vocal harmonies and just the right blend of hot licks and cool moves.
Complicated
delivers a crowd-pleasing repertoire of originals and adult
contemporary, rock, and pop covers, and adds a sprinkling of country, hip-hop,
and alternative with an infectious energy.
Henan Province Performing Arts Ensemble
On Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m., the will perform in the
Silva Concert Hall.Vouchers for free tickets are available at all Bi-Mart stores. The 21-member troupe
will present a program of four traditional Chinese arts: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, traditional music, and Peking
Opera. Opening the program will be a Kung Fu demonstration by six experts from
the famous Shaolin Temple in Henan. Kung Fu began at the Shaolin Temple in
the 5th century. In return for food, shelter and education, young boys committed
to this discipline became fighting monks who were frequently called upon by the
Emperor to defeat the enemies of the state. Following will be Tai Chi, which
evolved from Taoist monks in ancient times, and is governed by two interacting
forces of nature: the Yin—yielding female energy— and the Yang—unbending
male energy.
Then, a quartet will present songs rooted in ancient China featuring instruments
include the “pipa” (a pear-shaped lute), the “er’hu” (a two-stringed Chinese violin),
the “dizi” (a type of bamboo flute), and the “yangqin” (a type of hammered
dulcimer). To close the program, eight artist-singers will perform excerpts from
Peking Opera—a theatrical art form that began in the 18th century and was staged exclusively for the
royal family. It is regarded by many as the highest expression of Chinese culture.
This is a bike friendly event, so leave your car at home!Support the Mayor’s Climate
Challenge and cycle to the Hult. Free valet bike parking will be available at the 7th Avenue
entrance. Cycle on down and remember to wear your helmet! A free bike safety check will
be available to the first 25 cyclists compliments of Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life. For more
information, contact Hult Center Marketing and Public Relations Manager Billie Moser at
682-8380.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
July 19, 2007
Cultural Policy Review Report to Be Presented to City Council
After a year-long public planning process, WolfBrown, consultants to the Cultural Policy Review, have
submitted their final report. They stated that the Cultural Policy Review was the best-attended public
process in their professional history of arts and cultural planning. Over 3,000 citizens and many local
arts and culture organizations engaged in community surveys, focus groups, interviews and public
meetings to provide feedback throughout the planning process. The final report offers a vision, goals
and strategies, and an approach to implementation that is designed to enhance and strengthen the
cultural sector in Eugene.
Special thanks go to the Mayor’s Cultural Policy Review Committee. This committee of 19 citizens,
appointed by Mayor Piercy, worked diligently and with much passion for the future of the arts, culture and
heritage in the community.
The full report, Executive Summary, and all documents from the Cultural Policy Review are available
online at www.eugene-or.gov/CulturalPolicyReview. A hard copy of the full report is available at each
library branch, and via special request to Cultural Services. The final report will be presented to the City
Council at noon on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in the McNutt Room, City Hall. For more information,
contact Hult Center Senior Administrative Specialist Theresa Sizemore at 682-5245.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
July 19, 2007