ENHS Nature Trails Feb 99 Article 3

Update on the Riverfront Research Park
by Nathan Tublitz

There have been several developments on the Riverfront Research park (RRP) since my last column on this issue (Nov 98), all of them favorable. This past January the University Senate and the UO Student Senate each passed a resolution requesting the University administration to permanently ban development in the two RRP sectors north of the railroad tracks that are along the Willamette River. The University Senate resolution was co-sponsored by over 20% of the full-time teaching faculty at the U of O and was supported by 16 outside groups, with a total membership of over 11,600 people. The resolution was also supported by Eugene City Councilor Betty Taylor, County Commissioner Peter Sorenson, State Representative Kitty Piercy, and US Senator Ron Wyden.

The press has taken hold of this issue in several different ways. Our own Board member, Dennis Lueck authored a wonderful op-ed column printed in the Register-Guard that stated the ENHS position against building north of the tracks as well as proposing ways to make existing and new buildings more in tuned with their environment. The Weekly published an editorial by its editor supporting the permanent moratorium on any development north of the tracks, and the Register -Guard recently had an article in their business section on these new developments.

I have proposed an alternative plan that allows each of the major players in this 13 year old battle - the City, the University, the Community, and local Environmental Groups-- to walk away with a victory. The plan has two parts: 1) to permanently prevent any commercial development on the University-owned lands north of the railroad tracks (known officially as the Gateway and Riverview Sectors) and instead to set aside these parcels for open spaces and park land; and. 2) to expand the RRP into currently undeveloped and/or unused lands south of the railroad tracks. Several parcels have been already identified: 1) the Agripac property along Franklin Blvd.; 2) the lots on either side of Louie's Restaurant some of which is already used by the University; 3) the University-owned old hog fuel area south of the mill race that was home to the huge several sawdust mounds; 4) the area east of the current research park buildings that is a temporary parking lot for cars and construction equipment; and 5) the old DMV site on Franklin Blvd across from the Black Angus motel. The total area of these lands is greater than the area of the Riverview and Gateway Parcels and would be more than sufficient to house all future RRP buildings. Thus the University still can expand the park (if it wishes). The City benefits because it has always wanted a link between Downtown and the University and this plan allows for that as well as a lovely park along the River. Our Community through its recent vote on the Parks Bond, has affirmed its wishes to expand local parks and from my point of view there is no better and prime park land in the City than the areas along the River. And all local environmental groups would be generally satisfied if this plan was approved since the major goal of all of us has been to protect our most precious local natural resource, the River.

I have taken this plan to the City Council and it is currently under consideration. The key issue is funding since the RRP is funded by the misnamed Riverfront Urban Renewal District which enables the City to subsidize the infrastructure of the Research Park such as roads, sewers, electrical hookups, and parking structures. With the help of many others, I have submitted to the City Council a motion that would effectively ban any expenditure of Urban Renewal District funds until the University agrees not to build north of the tracks and to set it aside for parkland and open space. I believe there is a majority of support on the City Council for this motion - of the 8 councilors the following have indicated their support: Betty Taylor, Gary Rayor, Scott Miesner, David Kelly, and Bobby Lee. Two votes are upcoming on this issue: On February 22nd, the Council will be voting on next year's budget which includes $800,000 for RRP infrastructure. On March 17th, the Council will be discussing and voting on the Urban Renewal District itself. Both votes are crucial.

You can help NOW by writing to all five City Councilors and telling them to not to fund any monies for the RRP until the University agrees not to build north of the tracks. Bobby Lee is the crucial swing vote on this issue. We have never had City council support for this view until now. There is a large ground swell of support for this motion and window of opportunity on this issue is open but it will not stay open for long. PLEASE, write these Councilors today - this is the last chance to save our precious River front.

Nathan Tublitz

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