HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem D - Downtown Work PlanEUGENE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Work Session: Downtown Work Plan
Meeting Date: May 10, 2004 Agenda Item Number: D
Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Nan Laurence
www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5340
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
The Downtown Work Plan implements the strategies and project examples included in the Downtown
Plan. The work plan consists of a list of 116 items, taken directly from the Downtown Plan. The first 12
items on the list are actively in progress. Other items on the list may be undertaken based on City
Council direction and available funding. No funding or council action is requested at this time.
BACKGROUND
The Eugene Downtown Plan was adopted by City Council on April 12, 2004. During discussions of the
Downtown Plan, City Councilors indicated their interest in prompt implementation to establish the plan
as a tool to realize the City's vision for downtown. Prompt implementation of the plan also takes
advantage of the positive momentum for change currently underway in downtown. When the plan was
adopted, staff agreed to bring a downtown work plan back to City Council for discussion.
Attachment A, the Downtown Work Plan, includes all of the 116 implementation strategies and project
examples in the plan. They demonstrate the range of dynamic and appropriate ideas for transforming
our downtown. These are not divided by chapter, such as "Great Streets" or "Special Places," since there
is much overlap in the benefits of these strategies and projects.
The City simultaneously pursued many of these initiatives while the final draft of the plan was winding
its way through the approval process. The first twelve items on the list are currently underway with
existing funding and staff assignments. Those items which have already been completed are indicated
on the list.
Council Action History
City Council approved the Eugene Downtown Plan on April 12, 2004.
Policy Issues
The work plan implements the 25 adopted polices in the Downtown Plan.
In addition to the Downtown Plan, numerous adopted city documents also contain policies that pertain to
the economic health, character and mix of uses downtown. The work plan addresses the following
policies:
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Encourage a mix of businesses and residential uses downtown using incentives and zoning (Growth
Management Study, 1999).
Encourage residential development; in or near downtown core areas in both cities (Eugene-Springfield
Metropolitan Area Residential Land and Housing Study Policy Recommendations Report, August
1999).
Recognize private sector cost; of redevelopment, especially in the downtown area, and offer public
incentives to assist redevelopment effort; (Eugene Commercial Lands Study, 1992).
Council Goal Action Priority
The implementation of the Downtown Plan addresses four of Council Goals, as follows:
Safe Community
The chapter on Safe Civic Center focuses on the importance of public safety, including police, fire and
emergency medical services, transportation and design.
Sustainable Community Development
Promoting density and intensity of development in the downtown core is a key theme of the Downtown
Plan.
Healthy Natural and Built Environment
The Downtown Plan highlights the importance of nearby open space areas to the health and livability of
our downtown core. The plan also discusses the design of buildings and public spaces with the intent of
creating an inviting and economically viable downtown.
Accessible and Thriving Culture and Recreation
The plan stresses the importance of downtown as the cultural center of the region.
Financial and/or Resource Considerations
Funding and staff resources are already in place to address the first 12 items on the work plan. Based on
City Council direction, additional funding and staff resources, other items on this list may be prioritized
for implementation.
No additional funding is requested at this time. As opportunities or expressed priorities change, an
updated work plan with funding requests may be brought back to the council at a later date.
Other Background Information
Based on current staff workloads and the council's expressed priorities, staff has given priority to the 12
items currently underway. Other items on this list may also be addressed as a part of ongoing staff
work.
Timing
The first 12 items on the work plan are currently underway.
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OPTIONS
City Council may recommend changes to the Downtown Work Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
None; this is a work session only.
S[IGGESTED MOTION
None; this is a work session only.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Downtown Work Plan
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Nan Laurence
Telephone: 682-5340
Staff E-Mail: nan.laurence~ci.eugene.or.us
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ATTACHMENT A
Downtown Work Plan
The following is a complete list of 116 implementation strategies and example projects from the Eugene
Downtown Plan, adopted April 12, 2004. Actions currently underway are at the top of the list, and are
shown in bold. Actions from this list which have already been completed are noted in bold italics. The
actions are not listed in order of priority.
1. Work with major medical providers to locate their facilities in and near downtown.
2. Provide incentives for the redevelopment of the Sears site for a multi-story office building.
3. Amend the Riverfront Research Park Urban Renewal Plan to expand the boundaries and extend
the district's life. Completed. Use it to facilitate desired development, particularly in the
Courthouse and riverfront areas.
4. Create a single zone to unify the downtown core, including the new Federal Courthouse and
riverfront areas. Consider amendments to an existing commercial zone, such as C-2 or C-3,
and overlay zones such as/TD,/ND, and the Broadway Overlay Zone.
5. Issue request for proposals for purchase and development of the City-owned property adjacent
to the new Federal Courthouse site.
6. Begin site analysis of possible locations along East 8th Avenue for a new City Hall and police
station.
7. Build an affordable or mixed income housing development on the 8th Avenue "land bank" site
east of the WOW Hall.
8. Conduct a downtown area housing policy analysis to assess the impact of policies affecting
neighborhoods on the periphery of downtown and recommend policy amendments to promote
housing preservation.
9. Rezone the Courthouse area from Light-Medium Industrial I-2 to a commercial zone
compatible with downtown.
10. Create a grade-level pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 8th Avenue and Mill Street.
11. Construct a bicycle path along the new 6th Avenue extension between Franklin Boulevard and
Hilyard Street and 6th Avenue and High Street.
12. Facilitate desired development by providing financial incentives and resources.
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13. Help employers locate, remain and expand downtown by targeted use of economic tools and
incentives.
14. Work with individuals, service and advocacy groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, the
Convention and Visitor's Association of Lane County (CVALCO), leasing agents, builders, and
Downtown Eugene, Inc. to attract high density commercial and residential development downtown.
15. Promote multi-story, mixed use structures downtown through financial incentives or code
amendments.
16. Work with local, state and federal offices to locate, remain or expand in downtown.
17. Promote visitor and convention use of existing facilities in or near downtown, including exhibit and
meeting spaces, lodging and restaurants.
18. Encourage education-related development downtown, such as student housing and support services.
19. Locate a headquarters or regional office facility downtown.
20. Expand the square footage of convention facilities downtown.
21. Provide incentives for the location of medical facilities downtown.
22. Coordinate with the U of O to locate university offices downtown.
23. Expand the use of revenues in the Downtown Urban Renewal District in order to provide financial
tools and incentives for desired development within the district.
24. Establish a new Downtown Urban Renewal District to better capitalize on commercial and housing
development opportunities in the areas immediately outside of the existing core-area downtown
urban renewal district, and between the downtown core and the emerging Courthouse development
area.
25. Develop a differential city fee structure or subsidy of fees for downtown development.
26. Perform a regulatory audit to identify impediments to achieving higher density, mixed-use
development and redevelopment downtown.
27. Identify and facilitate infrastructure improvements as a public incentive for private development.
28. Provide incentives for the redevelopment of the vacant Bon Marche/Symantec building and vacant
Centre Court building.
29. Promote dense, mixed-use developments on the surface parking lots located at Broadway and High
Street and Broadway and Pearl Street.
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30. Provide incentives for faCade improvements and redevelopment of retail spaces on Broadway
between Willamette Street and Charnelton Street.
31. Work with private property owners toward the redevelopment of the commercial warehouses on 8th
Avenue in the Courthouse area.
32. Develop a separate design strategy for each Great Street. Include street improvement elements such
as: public art, special planting schemes, center medians, street lamps, benches and kiosks, banners,
and building, street and information signs.
33. Develop design guidelines for buildings along the Great Streets. Include elements such as setback,
quality of materials, design of first floor, and treatment of parking.
34. Link Great Streets to important public places, including urban plazas and open spaces.
35. Seek funding and develop a plan for a new City Hall and police station along East 8th Avenue.
36. Implement street improvements for 8th Avenue, with public art elements, special light standards,
signs and street furniture.
37. Implement a design study and possible acquisition of land to make a stronger pedestrian connection
from 5th Avenue to the riverfront.
38. Create a pedestrian connection across the railroad tracks between the end of Willamette Street and
Skinner Butte.
39. Provide a loan fund for facade improvements along West Broadway. Completed
40. Include signs, public art and landscaping at the gateways to downtown along Broadway and
Willamette.
41. Encourage the creation of new special places especially along the Great Streets.
42. Amend the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan to redesignate the train station from
industrial to commercial land use, and rezone to a commercial zone such as C-2 or C-3.
43. Create an artful directory sign program throughout downtown that directs people from special place
to special place.
44. Prepare an open space plan for downtown that includes the Park Blocks, parks adjacent to downtown
and the riverfront path system.
45. Provide places downtown that appeal to children and families. Consider places to play or learn
about the city. Design places with kids in mind.
46. Identify areas along streets that can be enhanced by landscaping, art or pedestrian amenities.
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47. Support programming for music, art and other events in the special places downtown.
48. Maintain views and access from downtown to nearby open space areas. Include signs and sidewalk
improvements.
49. Create a civic design review board to assist in and approve the designs for all civic facilities,
particularly in our downtown core.
50. Reinforce the continued use of the Park Blocks for the Saturday Market and Farmer's Market.
51. Install graphics for downtown information and directions at the Park Blocks.
52. Develop a funding strategy to daylight the Millrace from Ferry Lane to the Willamette River.
53. Locate a play structure for kids near the Park Blocks.
54. Work with Lane County to develop a mixed use or civic structure in place of the butterfly parking lot
on Oak Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, to better integrate this site with the Park Blocks.
55. Implement a historic plaque program and walking tour.
56. Expand the MUPTE program boundary to encourage housing on the edges of downtown.
Periodically review boundaries and expand to include areas where additional housing is
appropriate. Completed.
SZ Establish a vertical housing tax exemption zone in order to encourage residential density and
mixed-use development. Completed.
58. Develop additional financial tools to assist with the development of housing, including the use of
bonds, tax increment financing, land assembly and parking.
59. Remove regulatory barriers to the development of housing in commercially zoned areas downtown,
while ensuring compatibility of uses and design.
60. Reinforce opportunities for home ownership downtown.
61. Seek opportunities to equalize the costs of building housing in and near downtown compared with
locations elsewhere in the city.
62. Support the continued residential use of structures in neighborhoods bordering downtown.
63. Develop a residential mixed-use project on Willamette Street incorporating the former Woolworth
site and Centre Court building.
64. Encourage rehabilitation of older multi-story rental housing south and east of the downtown core.
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65. Seek new opportunities for owner-occupied housing in or near downtown through incentives such as
MUPTE, CDBG, and Urban Renewal.
66. Assess and mitigate the impact of infill development in the neighborhood areas immediately
adjacent to downtown.
67. Create inviting physical and visual access to the riverfront from 8th and 5th Avenues, and explore
opportunities for additional access between these two points.
68. Reinforce the relationship between downtown and the river through landscaping, art, signs, street
furniture, historic plaques and markers.
69. Conduct a study of riparian habitat values and restoration opportunities within the Willamette River
riparian zone to guide protection and restoration activities in that area, and to identify those areas of
lower habitat value.
70. Enhance existing points of access from downtown to the river so that convenient connections are
visible both from the riverfront to downtown, and from downtown to the river.
71. Explore possibilities for parks or public open space along the riverfront.
72. Partner with EWEB to develop a master plan for the EWEB site.
73. Assess and provide mitigation for stormwater issues related to the potential development of
riverfront properties.
74. Introduce pedestrian-related improvements along all paths leading to the river.
75. Develop an adaptive use concept for EWEB's Steam Plant.
76. Daylight the Millrace to connect downtown to the river and capitalize on this historic waterway.
77. Collaborate with adjacent activity resources, including the U of O and the Lane Events Center at the
Fairgrounds to enrich the cultural and entertainment opportunities available in and near downtown.
78. Promote visitor and convention use of existing facilities in and near downtown, including exhibit
and meeting spaces, lodging and restaurants.
79. Encourage and support a stable arts community downtown. Review existing zoning provisions and
modify if necessary to remove obstacles to creative arts activities downtown including live
performance venues, artist live/work spaces, and galleries.
80. Seek new public art opportunities. Include public art into building design, street design, signs, and
public open spaces throughout downtown.
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81. Recognize the importance of Eugene's historic buildings and places with signs, plaques and
pedestrian connections. Promote buildings, landmarks, or events that have distinct historical value or
special assets that contribute to the character of the downtown.
82. Promote continued success of the Farmers' Market, Saturday Market, and Eugene Celebration and
other downtown events by supporting public/private partnerships such as Eugene in Common.
83. Collaborate with the Lane County Historical Museum to encourage a downtown location.
84. Research market potential and available incentives for major new cultural or recreational venues,
such as a new art museum downtown.
85. Provide opportunities, programming and financial tools to encourage activities along the Great
Streets and in the special places downtown, including performers, art events, and street vendors.
Include plans for rainy days.
86. Collaborate with Lane Arts Council to encourage and market art activities downtown.
87. Promote cultural and entertainment activities in parks and open space areas adjacent to downtown,
including Skinner Butte Park and West Alton Baker Park.
88. Enhance the 13th Avenue corridor between the Lane Events Center at the Fairgrounds, downtown,
and the U of O.
89. Help locate a multiplex cinema downtown.
90. Partner with DEI for programming events at Broadway Plaza.
91. Work with Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts to find a suitable location for an art museum
downtown.
92. Install creative banners as marketing tools and directional signs.
93. Create an annual political speakers forum for the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza.
94. Improve the safety of pedestrian routes between existing clusters of nighttime activity.
95. Provide access for emergency vehicles along Willamette between 6th and 7th Avenues.
96. Support public/private partnerships such as DEI and downtown guides to maintain additional
surveillance and provide public assistance downtown.
97. Maintain police presence downtown, through a community police station and bicycle and foot
patrols.
98. Consider design measures to enhance public safety and emergency vehicle access as an integral
component of public projects, including street improvements and building construction.
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99. Work with property owners, residents and developers to address the principles of CPTED (Crime
Prevention through Environmental Design).
100. Build a new Community Police Station downtown, preferably on East 8th Avenue.
101 Improve downtown lighting between centers of nighttime pedestrian activity.
102. Develop an educational brochure focusing on CPTED principles.
103. Include CPTED design standards for Great Streets.
104. Develop specific designs and public improvement plans to convert portions of Willamette,
Broadway, 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue to "Great Streets."
105. Implement the policies and strategies of CATS, including two-way street conversions, structured
parking, pedestrian and bike system improvements.
106. Facilitate increased residential and commercial densities within the downtown area to support
increased transit, pedestrian and bicycle activity in the area. Require new developments to follow
transit and pedestrian-oriented development design guidelines.
107. Focus continued transportation and streetscape improvements for the entire right-of-way area, from
building face to building face, to improve accessibility and reduce reliance on automobile travel.
108. Continue to improve existing pedestrian, bicycle and automobile connections to public riverfront
areas.
109. Consider a fixed rail transit or trolley system within downtown.
110. Identify primary "gateway" entrances to downtown and take necessary steps to enhance the sense of
entry, with particular attention to maintaining significant views.
111 Create a visual directory for downtown to assist visitors and citizens in finding their destinations.
112. Continue to improve and simplify parking lot directory signs, cost information and methods of
payment.
113. Convert 10th Avenue to a two-way street.
114. Conduct a "walkability" assessment to determine needed pedestrian improvements in downtown.
115. Provide a prominent entrance to downtown from East Broadway near Mill Street.
116. Construct a new parking garage to support the east side of downtown and the new Courthouse
district.
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