New Search
KEZI News, March 31, 2005 <br /> River Avenue Residents Lose County Battle <br /> "Something's amiss here, in that the city staff is pushing a plan that the people don't want, and the people <br /> are paying staff wages," Dave Van Sickle, testifying before Lane County Commissioners, said. <br /> It's the road improvement plan that just won't go away. <br /> <br /> ' "When you have budgets as tight as they are right now. And your on TV --the city was last night- saying 'we <br /> don't have the money to fix the potholes on the road.' Here's a prime example of spending over $2-million <br /> bucks that they don't have," Chuck Meeker, a River Avenue property owner, said. <br /> Residents say a plan by Eugene's Public Works Director --to improve their River Avenue Roadway-- is <br /> excessive. It's pricetag is $2.25 million dollars. Among other things, it would widen the largely commercial <br /> road to 3-lanes; add 6-and-a-half foot sidewalks; and add bike lanes. <br /> Also, a million dollars of the unpopular project would be paid by the 33 River Avenue property owners. <br /> "This is a classical case of the tail wagging the dog," Bill Dwyer, Lane County Commissioner, said about the <br /> plan. <br /> Lane County Commissioner Bill Dwyer says the city project is over-built, and over-priced. <br /> "Not everybody has to drive a Cadillac. Not every street has to be pristine with roundabouts and trees, and <br /> bike paths," Dwyer said. <br /> This is the second time Lane County Commissioners have considered this issue. After a previous meeting <br /> some commissioners felt mis-led by the City's Public Works Director, saying he had them believe the city <br /> HAD approved the plan, when it had NOT. <br /> "There's been some suggestions as to what I have said, or what I have meant in past presentations," Kurt <br /> Corey, Eugene Public Works Director, said at the Commissioner meeting. <br /> Corey tried to clear his name, saying the city council DID vote 8 to zero AGAINST annexing River Avenue <br /> residents, but NOT 8 to zero AGAINST the project. <br /> In the end, Commissioners sided with process over principle. <br /> "I choose to focus on what the policy is," Commissioner Bobby Green said, who says under an agreement <br /> between the County and City, Commissioners' job is ONLY to approve the taxation of residents- NOT to <br /> vote on the projects merits. <br /> "We're very disappointed, because what they did is give the city their blessing to move forward with the <br /> project," Gordon Howard, a River Avenue property owner, said. <br /> <br />