Hi, Susanna -
We met last Monday at Davis' Restaurant - my wife Elizabeth and I - to discuss the downtown development. I have been quite busy, sorry, I said I would mail you some ideas. So here are a few.
I think, from what I have heard from different sources, that there is quite a bit of support for a park in the area directly across from the library. When I first started to think about the downtown development, that is what first came to me.
But my other focus was on the Sears pit next door, and what I tried to imagine there was a building - perhaps five or six stories - that would somehow incorporate a vision of Eugene that would provide a focal point and identity that would energize the city.
So I wilI just put out some of these ideas:
EUGENE/WORLD
The City as a World Center, connecting in many ways to the rest of the world.
Create a building that would anchor a new identity of the city. We already talk about Eugene as a world city of the arts and the outdoors, but I think we could go much further. This building would be a culture and business center that would reach out and interact with the world.
Why not combine many functions?
Stores: Book stores Music stores Art galleries International flavor restaurants Etc.
Offices representing many functions of the city, interacting with the world; let them set up a branch office in this building. Bach Festival Peace Center (The University of Oregon has recently been awarded a UNESCO Chair in Inter-religious Dialogue and Peace - the only such Chair in the United States, and only one of 15 in the world. In the spring of 2009, these UNESCO Chairs will be holding their world meeting in Eugene) Tourism office, expanding greatly contacts with other countries; encouraging tourism here. Chamber of Commerce International Business Center; bringing representatives here from other countries and companies abroad. Import and Export Trade Office Wine Center promoting Willamette Valley wines worldwide International film and festival events Sustainability Center promoting the city as a leader in this arena Sports Center, World Track Center Intercultural and Cultural Exchanges University and Student Exchanges Outreach Center - Building relations with the world, promoting Eugene as a city that is reaching out to the world, a city of the 21st century.
This Center would draw people to this city, give a new sense of identity to the people of Eugene, and be a center that would draw interest and arts and business to Eugene.
This is a rough draft, but I just wanted to put out some ideas. I think whatever goes into this development has to be something that involves and excites all the people of Eugene - something that makes this city a magnet for people around the world.
Anyway, hope to see you Monday at Davis. Thanks.
Jim Hilgendorf
P.S. In case you forget who Elizabeth and I are, a picture is attached.
We met last Monday at Davis' Restaurant - my wife Elizabeth and I - to discuss the downtown development. I have been quite busy, sorry, I said I would mail you some ideas. So here are a few.
I think, from what I have heard from different sources, that there is quite a bit of support for a park in the area directly across from the library. When I first started to think about the downtown development, that is what first came to me.
But my other focus was on the Sears pit next door, and what I tried to imagine there was a building - perhaps five or six stories - that would somehow incorporate a vision of Eugene that would provide a focal point and identity that would energize the city.
So I wilI just put out some of these ideas:
EUGENE/WORLD
The City as a World Center, connecting in many ways to the rest of the world.
Create a building that would anchor a new identity of the city. We already talk about Eugene as a world city of the arts and the outdoors, but I think we could go much further. This building would be a culture and business center that would reach out and interact with the world.
Why not combine many functions?
Stores: Book stores Music stores Art galleries International flavor restaurants Etc.
Offices representing many functions of the city, interacting with the world; let them set up a branch office in this building. Bach Festival Peace Center (The University of Oregon has recently been awarded a UNESCO Chair in Inter-religious Dialogue and Peace - the only such Chair in the United States, and only one of 15 in the world. In the spring of 2009, these UNESCO Chairs will be holding their world meeting in Eugene) Tourism office, expanding greatly contacts with other countries; encouraging tourism here. Chamber of Commerce International Business Center; bringing representatives here from other countries and companies abroad. Import and Export Trade Office Wine Center promoting Willamette Valley wines worldwide International film and festival events Sustainability Center promoting the city as a leader in this arena Sports Center, World Track Center Intercultural and Cultural Exchanges University and Student Exchanges Outreach Center - Building relations with the world, promoting Eugene as a city that is reaching out to the world, a city of the 21st century.
This Center would draw people to this city, give a new sense of identity to the people of Eugene, and be a center that would draw interest and arts and business to Eugene.
This is a rough draft, but I just wanted to put out some ideas. I think whatever goes into this development has to be something that involves and excites all the people of Eugene - something that makes this city a magnet for people around the world.
Anyway, hope to see you Monday at Davis. Thanks.
Jim Hilgendorf
P.S. In case you forget who Elizabeth and I are, a picture is attached.