Eugene Park Blocks Improvments Plan 2004

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Recommendations The Park Blocks Planning Committee met five times during athree-month period from August through October 2004, to identify short range and long-term projects to improve the Park Blocks and enhance the ability of the Park Blocks to support a variety of public uses. The Committee also identified a number of core policies and planning principles that should be consid- ered indesigning improvements to the Park Blocks and adjacent space. Policy Issues The Committee developed a number of specific recom- mendationsandbroad goals. Recommendations ranged from the need for utilities such as water and power to the larger desire for a well equipped outdoor entertain- mentvenue in the park blocks. These can be catega rized by certain common themes as discussed below, The Implementation Schedule which follows indicates the possible phases in which work might be completed. 1. Support Markets: Saturday Market and the Farmers Market are signature events for Eugene. Supporting the markets should be a top priority for improvements. The combined membership of the Farmers Market and Saturday Market is nearly 1000. In 2005, the Saturday Market will be 35 years old. Eugene Park Biocks improvements • to/a6/o4 2. Entertainment: Provide animprovedentertain- mentvenue for outdoor performances including music, speakers, and theater. Such a venue can significantly enhance the visibility of downtown as the arts and entertainment district capable of attracting a diverse range of people downtown. Plan for connections and interactive events with the Hult Center, The Shedd and other venues. 3. Incorporate Public Art: Public art should be a significant partbf the experience of our down- town and the park blocks in particular. Sustain and enhance existing art and provide opportunities for new art, At the same time, public art should be integrated with the design and function of the Park Blocks, so that the flexible use of the public space for a variety of activities is supported. 4. Provide Infrastructure: Gray water disposal, power, drinking water, phone lines for credit card machine connections, and other utilities are needed to support market activities. Other uses such as music and theater require infrastructure for lights and sound. On a larger scale, provide public restrooms and storage to support park block activities. 5. Design for Versatility, Durability and Mainte- nance: Continue programs that make landscape and plant materials more able to support intenso --_ I'a~ln t~ a [~ r~ r.~ r_~ ~~ t:a 6. Security, Safety, & Accessibility: Improve exist- inglevel changes, ramps, steps, and other physical features for greater safety. Make the park fully accessible. Consider safety, supervision, lighting, and other measures that increase the perception of a safe environment. 7. Create Identity, Sustain Unique Characteris- tics: The park blocks are Eugene's Living Room. Support a diverse range of uses including large and small groups, natural and urban, market and entertainment, daytime and night. Features recog- nized asunique include the tall cedar trees, stone walls, mixture of urban and natural amenities, and the fountain (see below). The 8-foot square pavement pattern is considered a unique feature, and has become a design standard for Saturday Market vending booths. The use of common pavements unique to the park blocks and extend- ing across the park streets could also increase identity. Consider the design of "curbless" streets to increase the flexibility of use. Curbless designs must consider safe definitions of pedestrian and vehicular areas during diverse uses, Respect the history of the park blocks including identifying characteristics. 8. Make Pedestrian Connections: Market and entertainment uses of the park blocks rely on pedestrians arriving from nearby parking garages. Increase connections to the Overpark and Par- ade. Enhance connections to Willamette Street and Broadway. Improve the `tunnel" at the Aster Building linking Willamette. Improve Oak Street and alley the Park Blocks to Broadway. Incor- porateprominent design features recognizing the intense pedestrian activity at 8th Avenue and Oak Street as the center of the park blocks. Create a unified signage and wayfinding system integrated with the downtown. 9. Adjoining uses: Support the interaction of the Park Blocks with surrounding businesses. Spe- eifically, encourage retail and restaurants to face the Park Blocks. Several existing businesses in the Smeed Hotel and Aster Building currently face the park. Encourage additional businesses to share activity with the park. I0. Fountain: The water feature is a unique and identifiable element of the Park Blocks. However it limits the use of the blocks for markets and as an entertainment venue. Safety is also a concern. Eugene Park Blocks Improvements - ~o/x8/o4 Page 7 urban uses while maintaining a balance of natural and urban environments, Improve deteriorated pavements, street furniture, and other amenities.