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Courthouse District <br />The Courthouse district is an emerging downtown <br />area, centered around the Federal Courthouse on <br />the former Agripac property on East 8th Avenue. <br />This area lies directly between the core of <br />downtown and the river. With the projected <br />transportation improvements to 6th Avenue, 8th <br />Avenue will connect across Mill Street, providing <br />improved pedestrian and vehicular connections. <br />Much of this area is coned industrial. Rezoning will <br />be required to encourage a mix of uses through <br />private redevelopment. A variety of commercial and <br />residential uses will create the activity consistent with <br />the character of the core of downtown, while <br />allowing the unique character of this area to emerge. <br />5th Avenue <br />A 5th Avenue connection to the riverfront has been <br />a part of the vision for downtown for decades. The <br />east end of 5th Avenue ends at an at-grade railroad <br />crossing at High Street. This area of 5th Avenue is <br />already a popular downtown destination. An <br />inviting pedestrian route from the terminus of 5th <br />Avenue would allow some of the eclectic energy and <br />character of this street to extend to the river. A full <br />street extension would allow more intensive reuse <br />of EWEB's properties, including areas currently used <br />for surface parking. <br />EWEB's riverfront property includes the headquarters <br />building, utility operations, maintenance and storage <br />buildings, as well as parking and a day care center - <br />in all, about 27 acres at the eastern end of downtown. <br />'~ ~ <br />EWEB's plaza provides a vista of the Willamette River and Alton Baker <br />Park on the opposite shore. <br />Additional River Connections <br />Other connections to the riverfront from downtown <br />currently exist and should be enhanced. These <br />include Lincoln Street and High Street, providing <br />access to the river from Skinner Butte Park. These <br />existing connections lie just outside the borders of <br />this plan but within easy walking distance from <br />downtown. Multiple points of access will strengthen <br />the i°iver as a key element in the character of our <br />downtown and the heritage of our community. <br />The City should support all practical means of <br />establishing or enhancing existing connections to <br />the public waterfront. Connections from downtown <br />to the river need to be well-marked, with carefully <br />designed signs for information and direction. <br />28 EUGENE DOWNTOWN PLAN • APRIL 2004 <br />