The Eugene City Council is proposing a new downtown urban renewal district for $50 million over 19 years. I strongly disagree with this. The council has already had numerous versions over the decades. There’s a whole city out there and all they’re doing is supporting downtown. When will we put urban regeneration funds into other devastated areas?
Three poor neighborhoods come to mind. Highway 99, the scenic gateway from the airport to the city. TRUE? It is one of the devastated areas.
The other is just off West 11th Street. Concrete highways for employee housing, parks, more trees, motels, large event venues, and more. I don’t see any housing complexes.
Both West 6th and 7th Avenues from Chambers over the railroad bridge are also very poor.
They say they’re going to cut $1 million to save money. No, that’s very generous. But will his $1 million go back to the General Fund, which is a bummer, but why not create a new Urban Renaissance District? You can also withdraw more from the downtown fund and add it to the pot.
Urban renewal in downtown has dragged on for too long. Between that and all the downtown tax relief (MUPTE) they offer, no wonder they have budget issues. Let your contractors pay for what you build and the infrastructure you need. I think there will always be a big hole in downtown no matter what you do. enough.
robin bloom garden
Eugene
