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<br /> 1 <br /> providing additional square footage, and changing the abutting public property from a minimally <br /> maintained, closed park to a functional, attractive public space adjacent to their proposed housing <br /> redevelopment. The reconfiguration benefits the public by providing improved access, lighting, and <br /> natural observation of the park, which improve the chances that the park will receive predominantly <br /> positive use and allow the park to be re-opened to the public. <br /> The proposal was presented at a West University Neighborhood (WUN) board meeting on July 28th, <br /> and discussed at a WUN general meeting the following week. The WUN board passed a resolution <br /> endorsing the proposal. While strongly opposing reopening the park in its current configuration, both <br /> the University Small Business Association and Eugene Police have cautiously endorsed reopening the <br /> proposed; reconfigured park. <br /> A separate meeting organized by Parks and Open Space Division staff to gather public comment on the <br /> proposal was held on August 25th. Input from nearby property owners was also directly solicited by <br /> mail. During the meeting, the Owner presented his proposal and a draft list conditions, and responded <br /> to a variety of questions. <br /> The proposed park site would be approximately 3000 square feet smaller than the existing park site. A <br /> third party appraisal placed the difference. in raw land value of the two parcels following the exchange <br /> at approximately $30,000. Under the proposed conditions of agreement, the Quinneys would pay the <br /> City this value difference to support park improvements. 'The City would agree to use this revenue to <br /> fund the installation of imgated turf grass as abase condition for the newly reconfigured neighborhood <br /> park. <br /> °The site for West University Park was identified in 1976 and acquired the following year to provide a <br /> neighborhood park serving the West University area. All funds for acquisition and development of the <br /> park were provided by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, managed by Housing <br /> and Urban Development (HUD).. HUD representatives have indicated that the exchange proposal does <br /> not trigger any special process requirements through its. association with CDBG funding, but that the <br /> exchange would place limitations on eligibility for future CDBG funds for West University Park. <br /> Regarding timing, the Qunneys desire to complete the housing project by September of 2007. The <br /> agreement obligates the City to implement the agreed-upon improvements of the new park property <br /> within two years of the completion of the housing project. <br /> END <br /> <br />