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UO to spend $18 million on arena parking
University is also requesting millions to fund construction of its new baseball stadium
by Ryan Knutson | News Reporter
This article has been corrected from its original printed version. Correction appended.
The University plans to build an $18 million parking structure underneath 13th Avenue near the new arena, a State Board of Higher Education agenda posted online Friday confirms.
The agenda also shows that the athletic department is seeking a $20 million spending limit on the baseball stadium, which will be financed entirely by donations.
The agenda says the first phase of the stadium is "fully funded by gifts and the completion of Phase One provides sufficient facilities to launch the baseball program. Phase Two will be undertaken only after sufficient gifts and other sources of funds are received by the university."
The stadium will be built on the northwest corner of the Autzen Stadium parking lot, and will displace roughly 500 parking spaces.
The first phase of the project, which includes the field, fencing, player development area and temporary structures containing a press box, restrooms, concessions and grandstands, is expected to be finished before the first baseball game on Feb. 23, 2009, according to the agenda.
The second phase will include a video replay board, lights and the construction of a main grandstand and concourse. There will be between 4,000 and 5,000 seats, the agenda says.
The University received approval in 2003 for $10.9 million in state-backed bonds to finance a parking structure, and it plans to pay for the remainder of the structure's costs through an anonymous donor, the agenda says.
The underground structure is projected to have three levels and include 450 to 500 spaces.
"By building underground, the UO and the neighborhood gain the additional advantage of saving ground space for other development that furthers the instructional and research mission of the University and preserving the visual environment on Franklin Boulevard," the agenda says.
The garage will be open to students, staff and visitors, as well as patrons of the new arena.
"By constructing a parking structure in conjunction with the (arena) project, the UO will recognize savings and provide additional parking to be responsive to concerns raised by neighbors and others regarding increased demand generated by the arena," the agenda says.
Fees acquired from spectators attending arena events are set to cover 70 percent of the debt obligation on the $10.9 million bond, and the athletic department will be responsible for servicing this portion of the debt, according to the agenda.
"While this garage will primarily serve the daily needs of the campus, it will also contribute to meeting city requirements for parking during events at the arena," according to the agenda.
Whether the garage will be enough to meet city requirements is being disputed by residents of the Fairmount Neighborhood, who are appealing a decision by City Planning Director Lisa Gardner that says the community doesn't get a more public say in the development process.
The University is relying on a parking needs study by David Evans and Associates that says roughly 900 cars can park in the nearby neighborhood when attending events at the new arena.
Correction: The Emerald incorrectly reported that the Athletic Department is seeking state funding for the baseball stadium ( "UO to spend $18 million on arena parking," ODE April 28).
The athletic department is instead seeking the Oregon State Board of Higher Education's approval for a $20 million spending limitation. Funding for the stadium will come solely from donations.
"We will not be taking any general fund or state dollars for the construction of the baseball park," said Joe Giansante, associate athletic director.
The Emerald regrets the error.
rknutson@dailyemerald.com
The University plans to build an $18 million parking structure underneath 13th Avenue near the new arena, a State Board of Higher Education agenda posted online Friday confirms.
The agenda also shows that the athletic department is seeking a $20 million spending limit on the baseball stadium, which will be financed entirely by donations.
The agenda says the first phase of the stadium is "fully funded by gifts and the completion of Phase One provides sufficient facilities to launch the baseball program. Phase Two will be undertaken only after sufficient gifts and other sources of funds are received by the university."
The stadium will be built on the northwest corner of the Autzen Stadium parking lot, and will displace roughly 500 parking spaces.
The first phase of the project, which includes the field, fencing, player development area and temporary structures containing a press box, restrooms, concessions and grandstands, is expected to be finished before the first baseball game on Feb. 23, 2009, according to the agenda.
The second phase will include a video replay board, lights and the construction of a main grandstand and concourse. There will be between 4,000 and 5,000 seats, the agenda says.
Underground parking
The University received approval in 2003 for $10.9 million in state-backed bonds to finance a parking structure, and it plans to pay for the remainder of the structure's costs through an anonymous donor, the agenda says.
The underground structure is projected to have three levels and include 450 to 500 spaces.
"By building underground, the UO and the neighborhood gain the additional advantage of saving ground space for other development that furthers the instructional and research mission of the University and preserving the visual environment on Franklin Boulevard," the agenda says.
The garage will be open to students, staff and visitors, as well as patrons of the new arena.
"By constructing a parking structure in conjunction with the (arena) project, the UO will recognize savings and provide additional parking to be responsive to concerns raised by neighbors and others regarding increased demand generated by the arena," the agenda says.
Fees acquired from spectators attending arena events are set to cover 70 percent of the debt obligation on the $10.9 million bond, and the athletic department will be responsible for servicing this portion of the debt, according to the agenda.
"While this garage will primarily serve the daily needs of the campus, it will also contribute to meeting city requirements for parking during events at the arena," according to the agenda.
Whether the garage will be enough to meet city requirements is being disputed by residents of the Fairmount Neighborhood, who are appealing a decision by City Planning Director Lisa Gardner that says the community doesn't get a more public say in the development process.
The University is relying on a parking needs study by David Evans and Associates that says roughly 900 cars can park in the nearby neighborhood when attending events at the new arena.
Correction: The Emerald incorrectly reported that the Athletic Department is seeking state funding for the baseball stadium ( "UO to spend $18 million on arena parking," ODE April 28).
The athletic department is instead seeking the Oregon State Board of Higher Education's approval for a $20 million spending limitation. Funding for the stadium will come solely from donations.
"We will not be taking any general fund or state dollars for the construction of the baseball park," said Joe Giansante, associate athletic director.
The Emerald regrets the error.
rknutson@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Are you kidding me?
posted 4/28/08 @ 12:25 AM PST
Did that person really use the phrase "preserving the visual environment of Franklin blvd"? Is that some kind of strange joke?
Wowwie
posted 4/28/08 @ 3:36 AM PST
And, like Phil Night's Academic Learning Center(for the athletically gifted), how many of these parking spaces are going to be reserved for student athletes?
Here is a link to the full document. (Continued…)
prof
posted 4/28/08 @ 7:56 AM PST
2 points:
Is the $20 million really a request for state money, or for authorization to spend private donations contributed specifically for the stadium?
The parking garage is controversial because the space crunch s west of campus. (Continued…)
Zachary Vishanoff
posted 4/28/08 @ 11:27 AM PST
There is a hearing so that all may testify about this out of control project very soon. The hearing is on May 7 at 5 p.m. in the Eugene city council chanber at city hall. (Continued…)
psych O prof
posted 4/28/08 @ 11:42 AM PST
wowie, wowwie - thanks for the link. print out pages 27-44 of the Oregon State Board of Higher Education document which corresponds to pages 37-54 in the pdf file. (Continued…)
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