Recorded on: December 18th, 2015
Air Date: December 21st, 2015
Taking another step in the revitalization of downtown, the City of Eugene is looking for ideas that will provide distinctive, creative, and active uses for the property at Broadway and Willamette, officially named Broadway Plaza, also known as Kesey Square. According to the City website, “The ideal redevelopment will provide an urban use that complements recent investment in the area including the Broadway Commerce Center; First on Broadway mixed-use development; and the Woolworth Building. In addition, the preferred project will contribute to the pedestrian experience downtown, support the Eugene Downtown Plan’s vision for a strong, active urban center, and provide a suitable home for the Kesey statue either onsite or elsewhere in the community.”
Two speakers will explain their reasons for recommending two very different concepts of the ideal redevelopment plan.
David Dougherty is the principal and lead designer of Dougherty Landscape Architects. He will describe strategies for making the Plaza a more productive social and commercial open space, citing success in meeting similar challenges elsewhere. With more than 20 years experience, Dougherty has participated in several well known projects. They include the Wexner Art Center at Ohio State University and Bryant Park in New York City. Dougherty has made numerous well recognized contributions to the built environment in the Northwest. He is an affiliate member of the American Institute of Architects and serves on Eugene 4J’s Design Advisory Committee.
Brittany Quick Warner is the Director of Business Advocacy for the Eugene Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber recently came out in support of the proposal for erecting a mixed use building on the square, based on input from local businesses. Brittany is responsible for leading the Eugene Chamber of Commerce public policy efforts. This involves following legislative issues in Eugene, Lane County, and at the state level in Salem, representing the Chamber on various committees and public processes, advocating on behalf of the business community to local elected officials, directing leadership development efforts, and leading public policy issue campaigns at the Eugene Chamber.
copyright, 2015 KLCC