The cleaning frequency of the portable restrooms was increased from every other day to daily cleaning last summer. Cleaning has now been increased to twice daily starting in April.  

Council is scheduled to continue their discussion of the possible expansion of smokefree areas downtown on June 29.

Mayor Piecry and Community Development Director Denny Braud will be provide an update to City Council regarding Broadway Plaza at the 7:30 pm April 25 City Council meeting. The webcast is available at www.eugene-or.gov/webcast.
 

Eugene Municipal Court is receiving grant funds from the Center for Court Innovation and US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a community court in downtown Eugene.  This evidence-based, problem-solving model will connect court participants from the downtown area with a needs assessment and social services.  Nationally, research has shown that the community court model can reduce crime and substance use, increase services to victims, reduce unnecessary use of jail, save money, and improve public confidence in justice. The municipal court is working collaboratively with other City partners such as the Library, Eugene Police Department, City Prosecutor’s Office, Parks and Open Spaces, and Facilities, in addition to an extensive list of stakeholders in the downtown area and area social services. View the press release at https://www.bja.gov/.

Wayfinding are the signs and information that help guide people through a physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the space. The City is currently scoping details for Phase 2 of a Downtown Wayfinding project. This phase will include details for Programming (exactly what information is being presented), Design (what the system will look like) and Location (where system pieces will be living).  

A staff team is also looking at examples of positive behavior signs from other communities and working on sign design concepts, messaging, and possible placement locations.

The City of Eugene is requesting proposals from Placemaking consultants to engage the community and prepare a Placemaking Plan for the City’s downtown public spaces.  Downtown Eugene has five signature public spaces, three existing and two others under development.  As the City considers improvements to the existing spaces, and continues the design of the new ones it is important that the community have the opportunity to participate in the planning process and for the spaces to be planned as a system to capture opportunities for synergy. More information on the Request for Proposals is available here.
 

Benches coming soon! Staff are coordinating placing additional benches in downtown.  An order for new benches was placed this month.