Dear CHOICES Subscribers, According to Dr. Richard Jackson Senior Advisor to the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "The shape of our buildings, our land, and our bodies: It is all connected." This Thursday, 7-9 pm, at 115 Lawrence Hall at the University of Oregon, Dr. Jackson will discuss whether good land use and urban design decisions can really make us healthier and happier. Our community is blessed to hear from this nationally-known expert in "environmental public health." The event is free and open to the public. The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) denied a motion by the Jaqua family to stop work on PeaceHealth's Gateway site. The main appeal should be decided by the end of this year. McKenzie-Willamette Hospital formalized its joint venture with Triad Hospitals, Inc. The partnership will be known as McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. The Eugene Planning Commission recommended moving forward with Arlie & Company's plans for Crescent Village, a mixed-use commercial and residential development on the site PeaceHealth had once planned for its new hospital. The federal courthouse was eclipsed this past week by the replacement for Mac Court as the most reported news story. Several developers announced interest in developing on the old Agripac site around the new federal courthouse. Moreover, a federal bill includes millions of dollars to study the feasibility of restoring parts of the historic Eugene millrace. University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer announced that the UO will build its new basketball arena on the Howe Field site. Valley River Center is getting a face lift. McKenzie Outfitters has moved back downtown into the Heron Building at the corner of Olive & Seventh. Ed Aster sold off his Westec South business park in west Eugene. Tenants include PeaceHealth. Moreover, Oregon Lox Co. is moving from Springfield into the Westec business park, suggesting that Eugene, too, is open for business! A new report shows that congestion in Eugene is growing faster than in other cities of comparable size. This trend may mean that the area has not been managing its transportation system as well as it used to and now we are paying for it. Speaking of which, KVAL TV ran a story saying that the West Eugene Parkway has hit a major roadblock related to the project costing more than the community can afford to pay. But there have been so many twists and turns in the history of the WEP, that we won't believe any such story until we see it in writing from the Oregon Department of Transportation. East Lane County finally has a commissioner to replace Tom Lininger. The other four commissioners compromised in selecting Don Hampton, the mayor of Oakridge. My nationally-known friend has been busy. I am hoping to get him to write my column next week. Until then, enjoy the changing season and the falling leaves. Fall is one of the best seasons to live in the Emerald Valley. Spring and summer are nice, too! And if you ski or snowshoe, winter is pretty good, too. Rob Zako, Editor 343-5201 rzako@efn.org ================================================================================ Health Options Digest October 5, 2003 Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPPORTUNITIES City needs to fill vacant positions The city of Springfield is seeking applicants for vacancies on three boards. The deadline for applying for one of five vacancies on the Building Board of Appeals is Oct. 17. At least four members must have training or expertise in building design or construction. The city's Budget Committee needs two volunteers to serve during the spring to make recommendations to the City Council on the annual budget. The application deadline is Oct. 17. One vacancy must be filled on the Springfield Historic Commission. The deadline for applying is Oct. 27. For more information on the requirements for service or to receive an application, call the City Manager's office at 726-3700. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/10/03/local/news06.txt Deadline extended for Historic Commission SPRINGFIELD -- The city has extended the application deadline until 3 p.m. Oct. 27 to fill one position on the seven-member Historic Commission. The commission promotes stewardship for historic preservation through education and participation. Preference will be given to a Springfield resident with technical expertise and a background in restoration construction and craftsmanship, preservation, local history, architecture, construction, archaeology or preservation-related disciplines. Applicants do not need to be residents or property owners in Springfield, but their background must meet State Historic Preservation Office guideline standards. Candidates are encouraged to attend the next public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 225 Fifth St. Applications are available at the City Manager's Office at City Hall. For more information, call Kitti Gale at 726-3632. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/02/d2.cr.rg.briefs.1002.html Volunteers The Hospice program at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital is seeking caring individuals who are interested in being a part of a training program that prepares volunteers to provide emotional support and practical assistance to terminally ill people and their families. Volunteers will be part of an interdisciplinary team whose focus is to assist patients so they may remain in the familiar surroundings of their own homes, emphasizing personal choice, comfort and valued friendship. Training takes place at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 10; from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11; and from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Time off for church attendance may be arranged. An application and interview process must be completed before training begins. There is a $25 materials fee. For more information, call 726-4581. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/09/11/calendar/news02.txt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALENDAR Monday, October 6 -- Springfield City Council City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, Byron Vanderpool, 726-3700. 6 pm -- Work session, Jesse Maine Room. * Amendment to Article 40 of the Development Code, Adding Automobile and Light Truck Sales to the List of Permitted Uses in the Downtown Mixed Use Area. [Mark Metzger] (20 min.) * Development Task Force Recommendation. [Cynthia Pappas] (30 min.) 7 pm -- Regular session, Council Chambers. * Public Hearing: Annexation of Property (Williams) to the City of Springfield, Journal Number LRP 2003-00003. [Mel Oberst] (15 min.) * Public Hearing: Amendment to Article 40 of the Development Code, Adding Automobile and Light Truck Sales to the List of Permitted Uses in the Downtown Mixed-Use Area. [Mark Metzger] (20 min.) * Public hearing: Vacation of Public Rights-of-Way: Lithia Toyota, Applicant Journal Number 2002-08-0254. [Mark Metzger] (20 min.) * Reappoint/not re-appoint Michelle Dennis to a second, four-year team on the Historic Commission with a term expiration date of Sept. 30, 2007. [Kitti Gale/Mel Oberst] (5 min.) Agenda: http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/CMO/2003Council/100603%20agenda.pdf Thursday, October 9 -- Metropolitan Policy Committee 11:30 am, Springfield Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 682-7407. * Comments for the audience. * Public Hearing: Draft FY 2004-2006 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program. * Overview of Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) update. * Implementation of public involvement enhancements. * West Coast Corridor Coalition. Agenda Packet: http://www.lcog.org/meetings/mpc.html Thursday, October 9 -- Dr. Richard Jackson "The Shape of our buildings, our land, and our bodies. Can good land use and urban design decisions really make use healthier and happier?" 7-9 pm, 115 Lawrence Hall, University of Oregon, 13 Ave. & University St., Eugene. Dr. Richard Jackson, Senior Advisor to the Director,. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will discuss how land use planning and urban design decisions shape our health and the quality of our lives -- and how smart choices can make us safer, healthier, and happier. As the author of the CDC report, "Creating a Healthy Environment: The Impact of the Built Environment on Public Health," Dr. Jackson proposes that "applying public health criteria to land use and urban design decisions could substantially improve the health and quality of life of the American people." His studies show that health risks such as obesity, respiratory diseases like asthma, and pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths can be profoundly influenced by a community's planning and design. Trained as a pediatrician and backed by an impressive career championing environmental issues, Dr. Jackson is forging the way in a new understanding of what he calls "environmental public health" -- including its critical role in the well being of all people. This special event is cosponsored by: 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon Environmental Council, Oregon Department of Health, and the University of Oregon's Planning, Public Policy and Management Department. Free to the public. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PEACEHEALTH Appeal fails to stop preliminary digging at new hospital site SPRINGFIELD -- The state Land Use Board of Appeals has denied a motion to stop work on the PeaceHealth hospital site. The Jaqua family, property owners near the RiverBend project planned between Game Farm Road and the McKenzie River, appealed the city's approval of excavation work and flood plain mapping granted early last month. Although the City Council isn't expected to vote on the development plan until February, the council gave PeaceHealth permission to dig provided that it restores the land if the plan is rejected. In their appeal, the Jaquas failed to demonstrate that the work will influence the City Council and its upcoming decision, LUBA board member Michael Holstun wrote in a response issued Thursday. The Jaquas also are party to an appeal that asks the state board to strike down the city's approval of the project last March. Parties to that appeal include the Coalition for Health Options in Central Eugene-Springfield, or CHOICES, 1000 Friends of Oregon and Lane County. The state board is expected to rule on that appeal later this year. In addition, CHOICES, which recently lost a bid in Lane County Circuit Court to temporarily block the hospital from digging, has said it will fight the city's approval of that work in Lane County Circuit Court. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/03/d1.cr.peacehealth.1003.html Hospital moves ER entry as part of renovation Sacred Heart Medical Center has moved the patient walk-in entrance to its emergency department to accommodate a $2.2 million remodel and expansion project. The patient entry has moved from 13th Avenue, next to the ambulance area, to a door adjacent to the circular driveway near the hospital's main entrance on Hilyard Street. The entrance move marks the start of the emergency department remodel, which will add 3,500 square feet and 10 new patient treatment areas. The ambulance loading area also will be reconfigured. Patient parking remains at the same location: in the outpatient lot at 13th Avenue and Alder Street. A few temporary parking spaces near the new entrance will be designated for emergency department patient use. PeaceHealth, Sacred Heart's corporate parent, plans to convert the emergency department to a 24-hour urgent care center after it opens its new hospital at RiverBend in north Springfield, planned for 2007. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/01/d3.cr.digest.1001.html Hospital moves emergency entrance Sacred Heart Medical Center will move the entrance to its emergency room in Eugene on Monday. The entry will move from 13th Avenue to a door adjacent to the circular driveway near the hospital's main entrance on Hilyard Street. The move marks the beginning of a $2.2 million remodel of the emergency department. Ten new patient treatment areas and 3,500 square feet will be added. Signs will be posted to direct patients to the new entrance, and security personnel will on hand to give directions. The ambulance loading and unloading area will also be reconfigured during the remodel, but parking for the emergency department will remain at the corner of 13th Avenue and Alder Street. (end) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/10/03/local/news06.txt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCKENZIE-WILLAMETTE MEDICAL CENTER Hospital caps deal to thrive with Triad SPRINGFIELD -- McKenzie-Willamette Hospital, the independent, nonprofit community hospital founded here in 1955 so Springfield residents wouldn't be stuck when the Willamette River flooded, is no more. In its place is McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, one of 52 hospitals owned by Texas-based Triad Hospitals Inc., the nation's third-largest for-profit hospital chain. Eight months after they announced plans to unite, leaders of the two hospital organizations closed the deal Wednesday and conducted their first board of governors meeting. Hospital leaders say they plan to maintain McKenzie-Willamette's culture of compassionate care and its community hospital atmosphere -- even as they move ahead with plans to build an $80 million replacement hospital, most likely across the Willamette River in Eugene. The partnership ensures the survival of McKenzie-Willamette, which had been in dire financial straits, according to hospital officials. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/02/a1.mckenzie.1002.html Hospitals join forces: McKenzie-Willamette, Triad sign venture agreement The deal is done. After nearly 50 years as a non-profit, community hospital, McKenzie-Willamette Hospital has officially partnered with Texas-based Triad Hospitals Inc. to become Springfield's first for-profit medical center. The two organizations signed a joint venture agreement on Wednesday, changed the hospital's name to McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center and set out to find a 35-acre parcel in the metropolitan area to build an $80 million replacement hospital. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/10/03/local/news02.txt A new era for hospitals: McKenzie-Willamette isn't David any more Register-Guard Editorial It was in many ways a formality, but Wednesday's merger between McKenzie-Willamette Hospital and Triad Hospitals Inc. marked a fundamental change in health care delivery in Lane County and surrounding areas. The change is a good one, considering that a likely alternative was bankruptcy for McKenzie-Willamette. With Triad's backing, the survival of the Eugene-Springfield area's smaller hospital is now assured -- but it will play a different role than it has for the past half-century. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/05/ed.edit.hospital.1005.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOSPITAL SITING Council votes allow suburban hospital The Eugene City Council appeared to back away from siting a new hospital near downtown last week. Last year a council majority moved to use zoning laws to prohibit a hospital in far north Eugene, but Sept. 24 the council voted 4-4 with Mayor Jim Torrey breaking the tie in favor of a resolution to "welcome" a new hospital nearly anywhere in the city. In another vote, the council decided 5-3 to move forward with a change in the city's zoning code to ease hospital siting. The hospital zoning vote went against the recommendation of the city's Planning Commission. Eugene Planning Director Tom Coyle said McKenzie-Willamette/Triad officials had indicated that they favored the change in secret meetings. But Councilor David Kelly said it "bothers" him that the hospital hasn't come to councilors directly or in testimony to request the zoning change. "We don't know yet if it's responsive to the hospital's needs, and it goes against the recommendation of our own Planning Commission." The council votes make it easier for a new McKenzie-Willamette/Triad hospital to be built in far west or north Eugene, with high city transportation and infrastructure costs, leaving citizens with longer drives to the hospital after Sacred Heart leaves for Springfield. The council did vote unanimously for a resolution offering unspecified monetary incentives and land assembly to help a hospital choosing to locate in the central city, south and west of the Willamette River and as far west as Bertelsen Road. But support for the incentives for a downtown hospital did not appear strong. Councilor George Polling unsuccessfully urged the council to also give incentives north of the river. Mayor Torrey unsuccessfully advocated giving incentives to smaller health care operations, a definition that could have led to the city giving money to Sacred Heart for moving its hospital to Springfield and leaving a clinic behind. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/10_02_03/news.html#shorts2 Plans are looking up for central Eugene hospital Eugene city councilors made progress last week toward getting a second hospital in Eugene after passing a resolution supporting the construction of a hospital on the downtown side of the Willamette River and offering incentives to attract a hospital to the area. The council hopes to lure a hospital within a 2.25 mile radius of Second Avenue and Chambers Street, which is south and west of the Willamette River. The incentives for constructing the hospital may include assistance with clearing land for construction and providing a "facilitator" to act as a liaison between the city and the hospital to help find a suitable site. The council also tentatively approved an ordinance to revise zoning codes to make hospital siting easier, but sent it back to the city attorney for adjustments. The ordinance will be voted on later this month. Ward 3 City Councilor David Kelly said the ideal location for a new hospital would be "close to the central part of the city." Kelly added that a centrally located hospital would make access to medical services easier for many community members. Kelly said the city would provide incentives for building a hospital near the center of Eugene because the area is more difficult to build in than in the outskirts of the city. Some of the challenges included clearing old property to build over, buying land from multiple owners and fostering a good relationship with the surrounding neighborhood, Kelly said. McKenzie-Willamette Hospital has expressed interest in moving to Eugene and providing a full-service medical facility. The health care provider currently operates a hospital in Springfield. (end) http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/10/03/3f7d924cd3eb0?in_archive=1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COST OF HEALTH CARE Single-payer health care viable solution Commentary by Marc Shapiro Common rhetoric in presidential campaigns asks, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" That question comes to mind as we close in on the first anniversary of the Measure 23 initiative campaign to enact universal single-payer health care in Oregon. The answer falls out pretty easily from Tim Christie's Sept. 10 article, which reported that health insurance premiums have gone up an average of 14 percent -- the worst in five years, and more than double the 1999 increase of 5.3 percent. This at a time when the Federal Reserve expresses concern about deflation in the rest of the economy. Rapid premium inflation is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, doubling health insurance premiums every five years. As a primary speaker for the Measure 23 campaign, I became aware of most of the questions about a single-payer health plan. In the aftermath of the campaign, there is irony to be found in looking at where all of the opposing forces find themselves nearly a year later. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/09/29/ed.col.shapiro.0929.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEARBY DEVELOPMENTS Retail, housing development gains momentum Arlie & Co. moved a step closer to building a densely packed mixed-use development on 39 acres in northeast Eugene after the city Planning Commission earlier this month gave the proposal a thumbs up. The commission recommended that the City Council approve Arlie's request to amend the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan and rezone parts of the parcel. The City Council will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. Arlie's proposal includes offices, stores, row houses, townhouses and hundreds of apartments on property where PeaceHealth at one time wanted to build a new hospital before switching to a Gateway site. Many of Arlie's Crescent Village buildings would feature offices or shops on the ground floor, with living quarters above. The city's planning staff has generally lauded the plan and has recommended approval. The idea behind such developments is to limit sprawl and cut traffic by letting people work, live and shop in one neighborhood. Arlie needs the land use plan and zoning changes because the bulk of the land is now designated for high-density residential use. That allows some commercial businesses along with apartments, but not on the scale Arlie is proposing. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/09/30/b1.bz.develop.0930.html Consider the Springfield option Letter by Doug Mansfield, Springfield Is the General Services Administration tired of dealing with a recalcitrant city government? Are GSA officials weary of feeling unwanted and unsupported by a divisive citizenry? Do they despair of ever getting the building design they desire in the city of Eugene? They should do what I did eight years ago while trying to relocate my Eugene business. Give up! Move to Springfield! Yes, discover what dozens of businesses, banks, hospitals, post offices, software companies and others have found in that little community across the freeway: a populace that is actually willing to work with you. A city government that sees itself as your guide through the labyrinth of siting, building codes and land use planning, rather than the road block to your project. A town that actually wants new business. Plus, we have many attractive riverside and downtown building lots still available for development by the GSA. But the agency had better better hurry, they're going fast! (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/09/29/ed.letters.0929.html Courthouse hurdles include access issues The General Services Administration recently put the new federal courthouse project on hold, expressing concerns about the city's commitment to solving pedestrian access problems to the courthouse neighborhood. The GSA's concerns may be well founded. City plans for the former Agripac Cannery site were heavily criticized for creating an isolated island surrounded by two rivers of impassable traffic that cut the area off from downtown and the river front. The city plans to split Franklin Boulevard to flow around the site on either side by adding a new highway along the railroad tracks. City planners argue that the split will make it easier for pedestrians to cross the now impassable Franklin from downtown. (more...) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/10_02_03/news.html#shorts1 Developers tout courthouse intentions Two more private firms on Thursday revealed their long-held intentions to redevelop the former industrial site around a proposed $70 million federal courthouse in Eugene, addressing one of the issues that caused the General Services Administration to hold up purchase of city-owned land for the project last month. A third property owner, the University of Oregon Bookstore, announced plans last week to redevelop land it owns directly across Eighth Avenue from the courthouse site to create high quality mixed-use retail and office space. Gerding/Edlen Development Co. of Portland, developers of the "Brewery Blocks" in that city's Pearl District, indicated it is exploring development in and around the courthouse district, the UO campus and research park and the downtown as a result of the courthouse project. The courthouse development will create a new gateway to the city, while associated development along Franklin Boulevard will enhance the entrance to the UO campus to create prime new business locations, company spokesman Kelly Saito said. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/03/d1.cr.courthouse.1003.html Do not pass 'Go' on the way to the courthouse Springfield News Editorial No one with an ounce of sanity would buy a house like this. No one with a shred of monetary concern would decide WHERE to buy a house in this manner. And no one in charge of a construction project would reasonably go about it like this. But here we are, with the cities of Springfield and Eugene, joined at the swivel hip with GSA, playing a real-world game of monopoly over the proposed new federal courthouse. (I'll trade you Park Place and Boardwalk for Pennsylvania Avenue, Marvin Gardens and the four railroads, plus immunity three times around the board.) The only problem with the courthouse game is, it's costing taxpayers money. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/10/01/opinion/news01.txt Bill to fund millrace study advances WASHINGTON -- A comprehensive water management bill approved by the House includes tens of millions of dollars for projects throughout the Pacific Northwest, including millions to study the feasibility of restoring parts of the historic Eugene millrace. Sawmill operators built the canal in the 1850s to power their plant, but most of the millrace was covered after electricity became widely available. Restoring the canal has been a topic of discussion for more than 50 years, and the idea has resurfaced amid plans for a new federal courthouse in the old Agripac cannery site. City planners envision a vibrant new neighborhood linking downtown to the courthouse district and the nearby river. Last month, the federal General Services Administration put the courthouse project on hold after questioning the city's political will and development plans. A year ago, the Eugene City Council adopted a Courthouse District Concept Plan that included uncovering all or part of the old millrace among its goals. Last month, the Eugene Planning Commission took up the issue again, with three options still on the table -- creation of a token "water feature" to symbolize the old millrace, creation of a series of such features across the site or "daylighting" the entire waterway that currently flows through a pipe 6 feet underground. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/04/b3.cr.waterprojects.1004.html Howe Field site stirs opposition Faculty members opposed to Howe Field as the site of a new University of Oregon basketball arena want a timeout in the selection process, even as the clock ticks down toward an expected decision. Several professors who live in the neighborhood south of the university believe that UO President Dave Frohnmayer doesn't have enough information for an informed choice and hasn't given people enough time to weigh in on the issue. One has introduced a resolution in the University Senate calling on the UO to take more time and to pass up Howe Field -- near the current McArthur Court -- which they believe is the favored site. But the clock may run out before the debate can be held. A site decision is expected to be announced any day and appears likely to come before the senate meets next Wednesday. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/02/d1.cr.uoarena.1002.html Siting of UO's new basketball arena a values call Commentary by David Orique What are our priorities as a community? After attending the Sept. 17 South University Neighbors community meeting where Dan Williams, the University of Oregon's vice president of administration, came to discuss the possibility of locating a new basketball arena on Howe Field, I was left wondering about the UO's priorities. Are they sports, or are they academics? Or should they be something more? If the university's primary focus is sports, then we should support it without question. The plan to build the new basketball arena should move full speed ahead, without further delay. After all, the expanded capacity will accommodate more fans, especially paying ones. But if the primary goal of the UO is not sports -- if, let's say, it is serving the community -- then perhaps the university should consider the impact of this arena on those in the community who will be most affected by it. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/02/a11.ed.col.orique.1002.html The Howe option: Probable arena site poses some tough challenges Register-Guard Editorial Barring a last-minute surprise, University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer will announce today that the new basketball arena will be built at Howe Field adjacent to venerable McArthur Court. The Howe Field site is a sensible choice for a number of reasons, most significantly its location in the heart of campus and its proximity to students. But the selection will present a battery of challenging problems that must be addressed before construction can begin. Frohnmayer is certainly aware of these problems, which range from parking and transportation to relocation of existing university facilities. Since they were detailed in an extensive evaluation of seven potential sites in August, university officials have no doubt been busy studying how best to address the many issues involving the Howe site. The solutions they devise must be creative, thorough and acceptable not only to the university interests involved, but also to the neighbors who live in the residential blocks near the Howe site. In recent weeks, they have voiced concerns about traffic, parking, noise, activity, as well as the size of the new 15,000-seat arena and the loss of open space. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/04/ed.edit.howefield.phn.1004.html Howe Field is UO's choice Get ready for a "Big Mac." After months of speculation, University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer announced Saturday that the UO will build its new basketball arena on the Howe Field site at the corner of East 18th Avenue and University Street despite vociferous opposition from some area residents. The new arena will be built right next to the venerable and beloved McArthur Court where the decision was unveiled during a press conference attended by UO Vice President Dan Williams, Athletic Director Bill Moos, UO basketball coaches Ernie Kent and Bev Smith, and Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey. Preliminary plans call for a privately financed arena seating between 13,500 and 15,000 and costing $90 million to $130 million as well as a training center. Construction is scheduled to begin next summer and be completed in fall 2006. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/05/1a.uoarena.1005.html Howe Field chosen as site for new arena The new arena will not be far from McArthur Court, the Ducks' home for the past 76 seasons University President Dave Frohnmayer announced Saturday that Howe Field, which currently accommodates Oregon softball, will be the new home of Oregon basketball. The announcement, which is the second step in the process of erecting a new arena, came at McArthur Court and included athletic director Bill Moos, men's basketball coach Ernie Kent, women's basketball head coach Bev Smith, and Dan Williams, University vice president for administration. (more...) http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/10/05/3f7f72bc0e722 Owners updating Valley River Center Eugene's Valley River Center, needing a face-lift to brighten its drab appearance and help it compete against newer rivals, is launching a $2 million renovation. When completed next spring, the exterior facade on much of the enclosed regional shopping mall will sport a new look. Also, the mall's interior is being touched up. Workers now are installing metal cladding, slate tiles and precast concrete columns on the east side of the mall -- the busiest and most visible side. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/03/c12.bz.valleyriver.1003.html Downtown poised for growth, Commerce Chamber reports Despite Oregon's troubled economy, the downtown blocks have shown many signs of revitalization Despite a slow economy and high unemployment in Oregon, Eugene business experts remain optimistic about the city's economic future. For the past two years Oregon and Washington state have seen the nation's highest unemployment. The unemployment rate in Oregon was 8.1 percent in July, points higher than the national rate of 6.2 percent, said Dave Hauser, president of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Lane County's unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in July. Hauser blamed Oregon's economic slump on the state's high-tech industry losses. He also noted that the drop in timber sales during the 1980s and 1990s hurt Eugene businesses. Eugene fared better than other Oregon cities, however, because of its diverse economy, he said. (more...) http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/09/22/3f6a56b73289f?in_archive=1 A return downtown: McKenzie Outfitters reopens with a new generation of management Retailers that leave downtowns usually don't return. But McKenzie Outfitters is taking another chance in the heart of Eugene. The outdoor clothing and equipment retailer opened a store on Sept. 22 at Sixth Avenue and Olive Street, in the Heron Building. The opening marks a return to the area for McKenzie Outfitters, which started in downtown Eugene in 1977 and lasted there until 1999. It remained in Eugene with a single store on the second floor of Valley River Center. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/02/b1.bz.retailnote.1002.html Business park changes hands Former Eugene developer Ed Aster has sold off another piece of his local real estate empire, substantially reducing his Lane County holdings. On Tuesday, Aster's Westec South business park in west Eugene was purchased by a group of 13 investors for $8 million, according to a deed filed with Lane County. The buyers were headed by Dan Berrey, president of Commercial Concepts Inc., a real estate development and investment firm based in Salem with an office in Sisters. Berrey, a Sisters resident, said 23,000 square feet are vacant out of a total of 86,400 square feet in the five-building complex immediately east of the Hynix computer chip plant. The new owners will aggressively market the buildings in and out of Eugene, Berrey said. "It's an attractive property," he said. " It's been very well maintained, and we happen to believe that in the next few years the business market will strengthen." Tenants include Aquero Co., EDS, PeaceHealth, Airweigh and Northwest Direct. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/04/b7.bz.westec.1004.html Lox, stock and barrel: Salmon smokehouse to move operations from Springfield to Eugene After nearly 20 years in Springfield, salmon smokehouse Oregon Lox Co., is migrating to west Eugene. The company plans to spend $2.5 million to build and equip a new plant at the Westec Business Park on West 11th Avenue, and to move in by spring 2005. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/05/f1.bz.oregonlox.1005.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Traffic congestion surges in Eugene Something to consider while you're stuck in traffic: Eugene-Springfield is getting congested faster than any metropolitan area of its size, nationwide. From 1996 to 2001, the amount of traffic that local motorists endured climbed 14 percent, according to an annual report released Tuesday by the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University. In the sub-500,000 population category, Eugene-Springfield's congestion grew faster than Charleston, S.C. (10 percent), Colorado Springs, Colo., (10 percent) and Boulder (8 percent), and it was a lot faster than Salem, at 4 percent. The study measured how many travel hours were spent in delay. It doesn't mean that we're more congested -- just that we're getting worse quicker, said Gary McNeel, a Eugene transportation analyst. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/01/a1.traffic.1001.html Slant KVAL-TV reported Sept. 29 that the West Eugene Parkway has hit a "major roadblock" in that the roadway might not be "big enough" to handle traffic loads over the next 20 years. This is an angle that hasn't gotten much press before. Will we see local agencies tweaking population projections downward to make the formulas work? Meanwhile, circular logic has our heads spinning. We plan new roads to accommodate future growth, but future growth is linked to building new roads. Let's take some lessons from other metro areas that have failed miserably in trying to build themselves out of traffic congestion. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/10_02_03/news.html#shorts5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER NEWS Board set to vote on filling vacancy They couldn't find common ground two weeks ago, so the Lane County commissioners will try again today to fill the vacant East Lane seat on the five-member panel until voters make their choice at the polls next year. Board Chairman Peter Sorenson said Tuesday that he'll go into the early afternoon discussion "with some degree of optimism that we can come to a conclusion." (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/01/d1.cr.commissionervacancy.1001.html Board agrees on choice for commissioner Nobody got their first choice, but the Lane County commissioners reached a compromise Wednesday, appointing Oakridge Mayor Don Hampton to the vacant East Lane position on the board. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/02/a1.commissioners.1002.html Hampton to represent East Lane A compromise has finally been reached. After weeks of deliberation and bickering, the Lane County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint Oakridge Mayor Don Hampton to fill the District 5 vacancy left by Tom Lininger. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/10/03/local/news03.txt No one wins, all win: County board compromises on fifth member Register-Guard Editorial As of Wednesday, residents of the East Lane district had gone 47 days without representation on the county Board of Commissioners. That's 46 days too many. Board members knew long in advance that Tom Lininger, elected to the East Lane position last year, would be leaving in August to take a teaching job at the University of Oregon Law School. They also knew that naming a replacement wouldn't be easy. But on Wednesday, board members at last faced the facts and realized that no one would emerge from the struggle over Lininger's replacement with an outright victory. Each commissioner's first choice was opposed by at least two other board members, resulting in a deadlock. The only way out was for all four members to bend a little, and settle upon a candidate who was neither strongly supported nor vehemently opposed by anyone. That turned out to be Don Hampton, who was among the seven finalists for the position but wasn't any board member's favorite in earlier voting. Hampton, a retired teacher, is a good choice. He has been mayor of Oakridge for five years, and served on the Oakridge City Council for nearly a decade before that. He has served on enough public agency boards and commissions to know his way around county government. No on-the-job training will be required. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/10/03/ed.edit.hampton.1003.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS "Health Options Digest" is published once every week or so by the Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) as a service to the community. It is intended as an unbiased digest of news and opinion related to proposed changes in health care options for the community. The purpose of "Health Options Digest" is to inform, not editorialize. Please forward your copy of "Health Options Digest" to a friend. 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