New Search
Introduction <br />To the Oregon Congressional Delegation: <br />This booklet presents you with the federal priorities of local governments in Lane County for <br />2007. As you know from past similar booklets, we also try to acknowledge the invaluable and <br />ongoing helpyou provide our communities. This is a difficult task and one vve attempt to work <br />on during the year as you visit Lane County or as grant announcements are made. <br />This past year has seen some projects-long in development-come to fruition. Ceremonial <br />ribbon-cuttings have occurred across the Eugene and Springfield metropolitan area. Other <br />projects have broken ground. Ones in which you have had a special interest include: <br />• Construction began in March 2006 on the $72.5 million first phase ofithe Interstate 5/Beltline <br />interchange project. This phase includes the northbound I-5 to westbound Beltline "flyover," <br />a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over I-5, southbound I-5 to <br />westbound Beltline ramp and auxiliary lane <br />improvements, and the replacement of the Game Farm <br />structures on I-5 just north of the interchange. <br />Springfield is working with ODOT to incorporate the <br />.intersection upgrade as part of the next construction <br />phase now under consideration. The Gateway/Beltline <br />intersection project is estimated at $15 million to $20 <br />million, with right-of-way acquisition being the major. <br />project cost. Thee City is currently significantly under funded to complete the <br />Gateway/Beltline project and is negotiating with ODOT to find ways to bring more dollars to <br />the project. A completed Gateway/Beltline project is essential to protecting the $150 million <br />in functional improvements anticipated for I-5/Beltine. <br />The Richard E. Wildish Community Theatre in Springfield was completed. and a grand <br />opening was held in December 2006. A black tie celebration featuring Mason Williams was. <br />r held .December 1, 2006. The event marked the culmination of four years of work by the <br />.Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation, beginning with the gutting of the 1940s- <br />era McKenzie Theater on Main Street. The 284-seat space is an intimate .theatre that does <br />not compete with other venues in the community. <br />The theatre complements .the Springfield <br />~ School District Academy of Arts and <br />Academics (A3), which. opened this school <br />year -with .grades nine and ten. Located <br />.:directly across the street from the Wildish <br />Theatre, A3 is an arts-focused .learning <br />community where students integrate their <br />skills and .talent in visual, .video, and theatre <br />,' arts into all curriculum areas. <br />_ __ <br />