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The former industrial landscape of <br />the Agripac Cannery will be transformed <br />by new uses. <br />• HUD 108 Loan Guarantee <br />This federal program allows communities to <br />borrow up to five times their annual CDBG <br />allocation in order to fund eligible CDBG projects. <br />• Fee Assistance and Permit Fast-Tracking <br />Waiving or reducing the cost of permit fees or <br />System Development Charges (SDCs), or fast- <br />tracking the permit process, can be used to offset <br />the higher cost of developing downtown. <br />and expedite development downtown. In addition, <br />there are underused and vacant sites throughout <br />downtown. Some of these parcels are not designated <br />for commercial use in the Metro Plan, or are <br />designated commercial but not commercially zoned. <br />These sites, which include surface parking lots <br />downtown, need to be redesignated or rezoned to <br />allow for the commercial redevelopment envisioned <br />in this plan. <br />• Revenue Bonds <br />An existing revenue source (i.e. urban renewal tax <br />increment) can be used to generate larger amounts <br />of up-front funding that is paid back over time. <br />• General Obligation Bonds <br />A voter approved property tax levy is used to <br />generate up-front funding for specific capital <br />improvement projects. <br />• Local Improvement Districts <br />Infrastructure improvements such as streets and <br />sidewalks are paid through property owner <br />assessments. <br />• Parking <br />New and existing public parking can be used to <br />assist private development downtown. Easily <br />available parking encourages downtown business <br />and cultural activities, and creates a positive <br />experience and perception of downtown. <br />Facilitating Development <br />The City's role in facilitating development is <br />multifaceted. Planning activities, such as insuring <br />that appropriate zoning are in place downtown, <br />set the stage for desired development. Currently, a <br />number of base zones and overlay zones are in place <br />downtown, including two commercial zones, the <br />Transit Overlay District, and the Broadway Design <br />Standards. All zoning regulations for downtown <br />should be reviewed to look for ways to simplify <br />Design Quality <br />Well designed projects create an inviting urban <br />experience and strengthen the overall desirability <br />of downtown in the regional marketplace. <br />Design quality is not dependent on a particular <br />architectural style. It requires an understanding of <br />the elements of buildings necessary to create public <br />spaces that contribute to urban vitality and civic life. <br />Successful project designs typically demonstrate the <br />following principles: <br />• Use high quality materials, particularly on the <br />first floor; <br />• Incorporate works of public art; <br />• Promote active first floor uses; <br />• Provide prominent entries facing public streets; <br />• Place buildings close to the sidewalk; <br />• Respect the context and character of adjacent <br />historic buildings. <br />Design standards are currently in place in the Land <br />Use Code for commercial and multi-family residen- <br />tialprojects. Incentives maybe needed to assist high <br />quality development in downtown. Examples <br />include a loan fund for awnings, outdoor seating, <br />historic renovation, or additional streetscape <br />amenities. <br />EUGENE DOWNTOWN PLAN APRIL 2004 13 <br />