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May 10, 1999 <br /> CONTACT: Christine Andersen, Public Works Director, 682-5241 <br /> Jack Wharfield, Marist Business Manager, 686-2234 <br /> From Public In onnation Section, 682-5523 <br /> FOR IMMED ATE RELEASE <br /> E ITY, MARIST REACH SETTLEMENT ON BIKE PATH PROPERTY <br /> A settl ment agreement reached Monday, May 10, will allow the City of Eugene to construct the <br /> next segment o the East Bank Trail as planned this summer and provide funds that Marist High School <br /> a <br /> ~ can use to addr ss its security concerns on its 40-acre campus. The parties met with U.S. District Court <br /> Judge Ann Aik n, who assisted the parties in arriving at a settlement which benefitted both parties. <br /> ~ In the s ttlement, the City agreed to pay Marist $490,000 for the property acquired and to <br /> construct a wro ght-iron fence along approximately 2,000 feet of Marist property adjacent to the new <br /> bike path. In re urn, Marist agreed to withdraw its legal challenges to the construction of the path. In <br /> addition, the Ci y will receive more than 3 acres of property along the Willamette River, rather than just <br /> the 20-foot bik path easement the City was seeking to acquire in its condemnation lawsuit with Marist. <br /> Marist also agr ed to allow contractors access across the campus to the construction site this summer, <br /> reducing constr coon costs to the City and making the construction process more efficient. The City <br /> will surface an xisting unimproved maintenance road on the Marist property that the contractors will <br /> use during cons ruction. <br /> "This a reement benefits both sides," Eugene Public Works Director Christine Andersen said of <br /> i the settlement. 'The public gets the bike path and nearly a half mile of riparian area along the <br /> i <br /> Willamette Riv r as well as the likelihood of lower construction costs now that we have certainty for <br /> contractors bid ing on the project. The cooperative settlement will help us heal our relationship after <br /> such a long peri d of divisiveness." <br /> (More) <br /> <br /> Public Works • Adminis ration • City of Eugene • 858 Pearl • Eugene, OR 97401-2727 • Phone: (541) 682-5262 • FAX (541) 682-6826 <br /> <br />