New Search
MEDLIN Johnny R <br /> From: steve mertz [stevewmertz@gmail.com] <br /> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 10:32 PM <br /> To: MEDLIN Johnny R <br /> Subject: Arlie Property <br /> Hi Johnny, <br /> I am writing to you in regards to the recent land purchase opportunity that Arlie & Co. are presenting to the City <br /> of Eugene. It is my understanding that Arlie is wanting to sell 350 acres of forested land in SE Eugene, south of <br /> the already purchased 200 acres at a discounted price with the hopes that we will use it as a community park <br /> with MTB trail access. As a local business owner (Laughing Planet Cafe) and a founding member of <br /> MTBEugene, a mountain bike advocacy group for Eugene of approximately 290 members, I find this to be a <br /> great opportunity to add to Eugene's outdoor recreation. <br /> I have been informed that you have signed a letter of intent to purchase the land on the behalf of the Eugene but <br /> authorization to finalize the transaction will require City Council approval. My question to you is what do we <br /> as a group need to do make this happen? I went to the City Council meeting tonight and expressed my interest <br /> on the subject (not so eloquently though) and left not feeling encouraged by the Council response. If we still <br /> have plenty of money left over from the 2006 parks and open space bond measure then what could possibly be <br /> blocking such a great purchase? Truthfully, I'm getting tired of telling my sons and their friends that I don't <br /> have the time to take them up to the Black Rock MTB park outside of Salem and would love to have some <br /> "fun" trails closer to home. Other parents and citizens of Eugene have expressed similar sentiments. <br /> Mountain biking support is very strong in Eugene. The plan is make MTBEugene a 501c3 in order to obtain <br /> funding from various federal organizations for the construction and maintenance of MTB trails. If additional <br /> funding for trail building is a roadblock, I can assure you that that the concept of volunteerism in the mountain <br /> bike community is very much alive. I'd like to get together or at least have a phone conversation to figure out <br /> how to make this a viable purchase in the City Council's eyes. Any information you can provide would be <br /> greatly appreciated. <br /> Thanks, <br /> Steve Mertz <br /> MTBEugene <br /> Laughing Planet Cafe <br /> (541) 501 -0343 <br /> i <br />