HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/11/11 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
August 11, 2011
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
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD RECOGNIZES ACHIEVEMENTS IN DELTA PONDS BRIDGE PROJECT
ARTS AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IV
CEREMONY ON AUGUST 18 COMMEMORATES OPENING OF I-5 SOUTHBOUND BRIDGE
KIDS AND TEENS SHOW “EUGENE’S GOT TALENT!” AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
YOUTH SETS NATIONAL RECORD AT AMAZON POOL
AROUND THE CITY
National Environmental Award Recognizes Achievements in Delta Ponds Bridge Project
The Delta Ponds Bridge Project has received a 2011 Environmental Excellence Award from the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA). Bridge Project Manager Patrick Cox from the Public Works Engineering Division will accept
the award on behalf of the City on Aug. 22, at the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation in Seattle.
The award recognizes Eugene’s exemplary achievement
in non-motorized transportation and access for the Delta
Ponds Bridge Project. The bridge, which was dedicated in
September 2010, removed a physical barrier between the
Willakenzie neighborhood and the Delta Ponds parkland
and wildlife habitat that had been in place since the Delta
Highway was constructed in 1966. The bridge is also fully
compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and
provides access for all citizens.
“Elegantly designed with two soaring pylons and triangular
elements that evoke the Greek letter delta, the Delta
Ponds Bridge is Eugene’s latest monument to livability,”
said FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez in announcing the
award. “The Delta Ponds Bridge provides safe and
attractive bicycle and pedestrian access where none existed previously, and encourages residents to consider
healthy and active transportation alternatives. This project demonstrates that dedicated bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure is an important component of the transportation network.”
Funded primarily by federal grants, the $5.6 million bridge project also included constructing sidewalks along Robin
Hood Avenue, a raised-median island on Willagillespie Road at Robin Hood, the largest raised-median island in the
City at the bridge’s west terminus on Goodpasture Island Road, 11 wayfaring signs, LED lighting, and a public art
piece titled “Bountiful.”
For more information about the award, contact Patrick Cox at 541-682-6854.
Arts and Economic Prosperity IV
Arts and Economic Prosperity IV is a nationwide study being conducted by Americans for the Arts throughout 2011 to
evaluate the impact that spending by nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences has on the national and local
economies. Volunteers are busy collecting surveys at arts and culture events around town as a part of the study.
In 2007, the third and most recent time that Americans for the Arts conducted this study, the report showed that on a
national level the nonprofit arts and culture industry annually generates $166.2 billion in economic activity. That’s an
incredible number and something that the entire arts community should celebrate.
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August 11, 2011
But what is Eugene’s contribution to that nationwide impact? It is already clear how important arts and cultural
events are to making Eugene a vibrant community – a great place to live and visit.
Now, thanks to collaboration among the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE), the City of Eugene and the
University of Oregon’s Center for Community Arts and Cultural Policy (CCACP), it will also be known how much
Eugene’s nonprofit arts and culture community contributes to the community’s overall economic health.
This is an exciting opportunity for the community. For more information about Eugene’s participation as a study
partner, and to find out how to become a volunteer, please visit www.EugeneAEP.wordpress.com.
A community forum on the role of the arts in Eugene which allows participants to discuss with other community
members how the results of this study might be used may be found at www.EugeneAEP.wordpress.com.
Be sure to fill out a survey at events throughout 2011.
For more information, contact Karm Hagedorn at 541-682-5700.
Ceremony on August 18 Commemorates Opening of I-5 Southbound Bridge
Join U.S. Reresentative Peter DeFazio, local elected leaders and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
officials on Thursday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, to commemorate the opening of the new southbound Interstate
5 Willamette River Bridge. The event will include brief presentations, including comments by Councilor Alan Zelenka,
a reception and tours of the bridge.
The ceremony will take place on the work bridge located under the new bridge. Parking is available at the University
of Oregon Motor Pool at 3233 Franklin Boulevard. Please allow 20 minutes to walk to the ceremony by following the
signs. A courtesy shuttle will be available upon request. After the ceremony, guided walking tours will lead visitors
around the work bridge or up the southbound bridge. Closed-toe shoes are required to participate in the tours.
Please plan for one hour to complete the tour.
The bridge will open two months earlier than estimated when construction began in August 2009. With the
southbound bridge open, ODOT will start building the new northbound Willamette River Bridge.
For more information, contact Construction Public Involvement Coordinator John Lively at 541-484-7052, or
Transportation Planning Engineer Chris Henry at 541-682-8472.
Kids and Teens Show “Eugene’s Got Talent!” at Eugene Public Library
The Downtown Eugene Public Library will host “Eugene’s Got Talent!” a free variety
show performed by youth, on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 5 p.m.
Auditions for the show will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 4 p.m. Sign-ups for a
limited number of audition spots will begin at 3:30 p.m. To audition, prepare a solo, duo,
or group act that includes at least one person age seven to 17, and which lasts three
minutes or less. Bring any equipment needed.
This youth talent show is part of Summer Reading 2011, featuring a series of free events
for all ages united by the theme “One World, Many Stories.” For more information, visit
www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450.
Youth Sets National Record at Amazon Pool
It was quite a day for a young swimmer at the Oregon Swimming, Inc. 11-and-Over State Championships that were
held at Amazon Pool July 28 - 31.
In a preliminary heat, Keaton Blovad of the Lake Oswego Swim Club lowered her previous personal best by
swimming the 50-meter backstroke in 30.5 seconds. In the final competition that afternoon, she smashed that mark
and set a new national record for her age group of 30.16 seconds.
Fifty-seven swim clubs from around the state participated in the meet at Amazon Pool. The pool was designed as a
competitive pool and hosts local swim meets three times a year and the state competition every three years. For
more information, contact Rich Fay at 541-682-6336.
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August 11, 2011