Despite some concerns about funding the Broadway reopening project, the Eugene City Council gave planners approval Wednesday to start designing the street’s new look.
“It’s a big enough deal for this town that we should look at the design, but get the job done by Sept. 1 (2002),” said Councilor Gary Papé.
The council and planners are hoping to reopen the three-block area along Broadway between Oak and Charnelton Streets by the next Eugene Celebration, which will be next September.
Council members discussed the matter during a noon-hour work session at the McNutt Room with an audience of city staff, media and one unidentified man who shouted objections throughout the meeting. Councilors focused on two issues in the process: street design and funding.
“We need to move ahead with the street planning and get the designs out,” said Councilor Gary Rayor.
The group debated whether the design process should be split to allow it to progress more rapidly.
“There are buildings, public art and everything else that makes the street look great besides just opening the street,” Councilor Nancy Nathanson said.
The council voted unanimously to approve the split design approach. This design will include two stages, said Nathanson, with the street revamping as one stage and working around private property alongside the street as the other.
Eugene Public Works director Kurt Corey said planners will hold a series of public workshops and present the design to a citizen involvement group.
“The timeline highlights include having a conceptual design in 60 days, final engineering plan by March and start construction next summer,” he said.
While voters approved reopening Broadway, it is up to City Council and staff to figure out how to pay for the $2.6 million project. Corey said the city submitted a $1.6 million request to Lane County. The remaining $1 million will come from downtown commercial merchants, the community revitalization fund and other accounts.
Councilor Betty Taylor said she was concerned about the city coming up short on funds.
“We have agreed to do this now, but we don’t have the money,” she said.
Mayor Jim Torrey said since voters passed the Sept. 18 measure to reopen the mall, the project has to move forward.
“People have said we need to do it,” he said. “I hope council will show us how.”
The Broadway pedestrian mall has been closed to motor vehicle traffic for 30 years.