West Broadway Advisory Committee Final Report

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WRAC FINAL REPORT Comment by Stacy Bierma Comment by Dan Bryant _ It was an honor and a pleasure to serve on this committee. Having been in Library Park-Still a Viable Possibility! business for almost 20 years downtown I have a great interest in the process and the outcome. I am proud to be a part of this community in which the As a pastor of the congregation located three blocks from West Broadway - city government is so interactive with the public on these types of issues.. and as one who walks through the area covered by this report, I have a - ~ strong interest in the success of this project. I fully endorse the conclusions The biggest consensus I heard from the community, and I spoke with 100's of our committee save for one area, the public open space across from the li- of people about it over the summer, was "just do something': Another thing brary. Our report finds that"Urban open space is a vital element of a healthy that rang loud and clear was housing, housing, housing! I firmly believethat downtown.... The committee recognized the importance ofthe Eugene this project area is the perfect place to utilize a public private partnership to Public Library to the life of downtown and the entire community, and rec- make something great happen. I am optimistic that the dedicated city staff ommended that the block facing the library include additional public open can find a good compromise with these two well qualified developers. space:' We further elaborated that this space should consist of"extra-deep sidewalks and public seating areas or a small corner plaza (less than 1/8 - No matter what the outcome of this project is I believe that the city has an city block):' It is my contention that this proposal does not go far enough in opportunity to seed the growth of this area and should exercise the op- providing the open space that is needed across from the library. • - tions and purchase the property. I believe this will enable growth to happen downtown that has been stalled by the current property owners. We pride ourselves on Eugene's outstanding reputation as one of the na- tion's most livable cities. As our city grows up (literally), the importance of My biggest concern and reason for wanting to be on the committee was to not just open space, but green space, grows with it if we wish to retain that protect the local businesses in and out of the footprint. I believe that if we reputation.. Great cities have great parks in the core of their urban area. are spending tax dollars, paid by the community and the local businesses, The Park blocks in Portland and the mall in Salem are wonderful examples that it would not be fair to subsidize a project or businesses that would be of such great parks. Parks add livability, warmth and beauty to a city. They - in direct competition with those same local businesses. I feel that the com- are nature's calming anti-dote to civilization's overwhelming hyperactivity, mittee recommendations on this issue were good but maybe not directive connecting unto the rhythm of the seasons and the natural warmth of the enough. earth in the midst of the cold concrete of the city. Yes, we have Skinner's Butte and the parkway along the river's edge but these are separated from " Thanks to all of my fellow committee members for their dedication and in- downtown by a railway and are not integrated into any event occurring sight. downtown save perhaps the Butte to Butte run. An attractive park in the - center of our city will say as much about who we are as a city and what we Stacy Bierma value as a community. - A well designed park would be a good investment that will greatly enhance the downtown area benefiting our entire community. Mark Gillem and Appendices ~ 1