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I / 1 I. ~l~.a ~/i 1 /i 1/T~l~1i ~ / I 'I I /~i ~ / r/7 / ~/7 /~i 1 October 30, 19 6 Public Works Administration CONTACT: Jeff Lankston, Acting City Engineer, 687-5560 City of Eugene 858 Pearl Street From Public I formation Section, 687-5523 Eugene, OR 97401 FOR IMME IATE RELEASE (503) 687-5262 ESTIVITIES MARK REOPENING OF WILLAMETTE STREET i A vari ty of festivities on Friday and Saturday, November 1 and 2, will celebrate the grand reopening of illamette Street through downtown Eugene. For th past week, crews have been racing the clock to install artwork, plant landscaping, test new lighting ixtures and put the finishing touches on the $1.8 million project to reopen Willamette i between Eigh h and Tenth avenues. The project, awarded to general contractor Wildish Construction nd managed by the City of Eugene Public Works Department, also included constructing ,he newly named Broadway Plaza at the intersection of Willamette and Broadway. The i I plaza, design d with the assistance of local architect Carl Sherwood, features more than 135,000 bricks placed in decorative patterns created by area artist Scott Wylie. On F iday, the plaza will be dedicated with live music starting at 3 p.m., a 5 p.m. ribbon- cutting cere ony, a 5:30 p.m. art walk, and a street dance from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday events include ~ family ente inment from noon to 5 p.m. and prize drawings at 5 p.m. These activities are I sponsored b Downtown Eugene Inc. At 8 .m. Saturday, Willamette Street will be opened to two-way traffic. This is the first time this sec ion of Willamette has been open to traffic in more than 25 years, and motorists and pedestrians re asked to watch out for each other, particularly in the area of the Broadway Plaza. Pedestrians,'bicyclists, and motorists on Eighth and Tenth avenues also are reminded to be aware of new traffic patterns around Willamette Street. (more)