City Council will hear public input Monday night on a transportation plan that could replace the 1,375 additional parking places the city requires for the expansion of Autzen Stadium.
The major point of contention is the placement of a bus transit center on a city parking lot used by the nearby Willamette Science and Technology Center. WISTEC has asked its supporters to oppose the plan because the center makes about one-third of its annual revenue selling season parking passes to football fans for use of the lot. If the University of Oregon builds a transit center on this site, WISTEC would lose about 200 of its 555 parking spaces and as much as $26,000 each year.
“We support the expansion project, but we’d like to see the University put the station on its own property,” WISTEC Executive.
Director Meg Trendler said.Science center supporters have sent city councilors at least 75 e-mails, 25 hand-written letters and numerous phone calls. In addition, City Council members received 11 letters last week, which will be read at Monday’s forum in City Hall, said city spokesman Phil Weiler.
The University has offered to pay WISTEC for the lost revenue, but the amount of money and the length of the agreement are still in dispute.
“It’s the University’s opinion that the WISTEC lot is the best option, and the city and transit district agree,” said Steve McBride, assistant athletic director of internal operations. “We’re offering to pay them in full. We want to make sure WISTEC won’t be hurt by the expansion.”
The non-profit science center uses the parking revenue to fund general operations, and Trendler fears the money couldn’t be replaced via other fundraisers.
“This is a town that’s full of non-profits and fund-raising events,” she said. “This is a good way for us to use our location.”
The WISTEC lot, one of three sites considered for the transit center, was chosen because, among other reasons, it allows buses to line up along Leo Harris Parkway and provides enough space to separate pedestrians, buses, cars and bikes, said Eugene senior planner Allen Lowe.
The hearing will be held Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Participants may speak for three minutes.