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11, CASCADES RAPTOR CARE CENTER ._ = & Environmental Learning Program 'r! ..a r' _ • • !bah`;, P.O. Box 5386, Eugene, OR 97405 � - -1 (503) 485 -1320 .� _ • 1 ,4 1 4 • September 3, 199 + .� Johnny Medlin Public Works Maintenance 1820 Roosevelt Eugene OR 97402 RE: Amendment to Proposal for the Development of a Raptor Rehabilitation & Nature/Interpretive Center at 32275 Fox Hollow Road REF: Proposal submitted May 12, 1993 Dear Johnny: Thank you for your time on the phone yesterday and your encouraging response to my proposal. As we discussed, I am submitting that idea in written form for consideration by the City. I believe that the proposed nature center will be a strong community asset: an educational resource on the natural richness that surrounds us, an opportunity for area school children to have hands -on nature projects, and for at -risk youth to develop a sense of connection with and responsibility toward a world of rhythms and cycles that has more meaning than that inherent in most of our modern lives. There is potential for a tourism end -point destination, though this is not our primary focus. The facility on which our general proposal is modeled, the Vermont Raptor CenterNermont Institute of Natural Sciences, sees some 25,000 visitors per year (5,000 of which are school children) and has an annual budget of some $800,000. .4 Thus I would like to propose a purchase arrangement whereby monthly payments would accrue towards the purchase price over a period of time, with a balloon payment of the balance due at a point when our development/community presence allows us either to raise the remaining funds or secure financing for the balance. I believe the value to the community warrants the City, in effect, carrying the mortgage for a short period of time. If the property were appraised at, say, the $100,000 we have been using as a discussion point and CRCC paid $500 /month for the first 36 months of operation, we would accrue $18,000 as a 'down payment' With attendance, membership records, and gate receipts to show a revenue stream and community support „we should be able to raise or secure the $82,000 balance. In the interim, of course, we will have been raising funds for cage - building, the construction of the interpretive center, and developing tltibic community presence through continued Eagle Scout and school projects, field trips and information displays. The City would realize a strong community resource without locking up a real asset permanently; CRCC would be able to relocate to a property around which to fund- raise, rather than having to try to raise funds around a vague future 'maybe' and would also be freed from the need to meet all the ADA