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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 1985)
Is the Riverfront Park really in our best interest? The University and the city of Kugene have embarked on a program to sell the Riverfront Park Development to the public with as little discussion as possible. Six of the seven board members for the proposed cor poration that will oversee the development have already been chosen, and the first public hearing where citizens can testify has not been scheduled until May 20. The City Council hearing is scheduled for June 24 when most students are unavailable. If this project were minor in any sense of the word, ignoring or inhibiting public discussion wouldn't be nearly as bad. However, the proposed development permanently hinders the environment for the wildlife in the area, runs counter to existing long-range plans, and risks significant capital on a project for which there has been no economic feasibility study. The Universi ty has yet to explain exactly what it envisions in Riverfront Park. Donald Corners, a protessor from the School of Architecture, has proposed a pre-planning agreement which states: “The University of Oregon has a central interest in the Riverfront Development Pro gram. Members of the Universi ty community have specific in terests in two broad areas: 1) The activities developed on University lands must further the ideals of the institution, enhancing the commitment of the University to education, research and community service. 2) The environments created on the riverfront must comple ment the campus, support the needs of the center city and con stitute an appropriate use of a unique site." The University seems to be ig Commentary noring these interests. On the one hand, they argue that we need to make sure that the buildings aren’t too tall and that hazardous waste isn’t dumped there. Yet they argue that once the University leases this land, they have no control over it. However, Corner states: "University interests in the out come of this development must be transmitted through condi tions placed on the lease of land to the non-profit foundation and on subleases granted to the developer.” It is in this light that the following condition should be placed on the lease to the non profit foundation: Classified research, and particularly classified defense projects, shall be prohibited on all University properties under this lease. The University currently has a policy banning classified research on this campus, so this condition is merely to ensure that the development is consis tent with the ideals of the University. Yet this proposal has been met with a resounding “no” from the University ad ministration. The reasons vary depending upon to whom you speak, but the message is that such a condition will not be adopted because the University administration doesn't want to adopt it. Are they planning to do classified research? According to Dick Hersh, vice president for research, neither of the two firms that have ex pressed an interest so far would be conducting any classified research. Then why is the ad ministration so adamant about ensuring that the University’s ban on classified research is not extended to the Riverfront Development? Also, why did they subvert previous plans for the area that had been established through a lengthy public process? If the development proceeds, what will happen to the playing fields that Club Sports has worked so hard to get? What about the School of Ar chitecture's expansion plans? And finally, of all the Univer sity land, why did they choose to develop the most scenic and ecologically fragile site? By Bill Hallmark (.oalition for Responsible Economic Development. letters A sad word I was shocked and saddened by (he recent loss of Professor Al Szymanski. I had a class with Al last spring, and I too have memories of his energy, warmth, and kindness. 1 can not say I knew Al well, but I could sense his warmth. 1 recently suffered the loss of my very best friend and brother John Hell on Feb. 11th. Needless to say, it has been very hard for me to reconcile. However, there is a trick in —UO Bookstore*. ShiKai. Rich in Organic Ingredients Natural Hair Care Products Now s100 off 13th & Kincaid M F 7 305 30 SAT 10 00 3 00 Supplies m 4331 dealing with such a tragic loss. The trick is to never say good bye. A friend of mine recently sent me an article from a Reader’s Digest by William Boyles entitled "Never say Good-bye.” The article provid ed me with some valuable guidance. I thought 1 might share some of my thoughts after reading the article. Good-bye is such a sad word. It seems too final, too cold for friends to use. We seem to have so many ways of saying good bye; they all have one thing in common: sadness. Don't ever say good-bye San dra and Michael. Never give in to the sadness of that word. Remember instead the joy and the happiness of those times when you first said hello. Take that special time and lock it away within you — in that place in your heart where joy and warmth are everlasting. When you and your frinds must part, f want you to reach deep within you and bring back those special times you spent together. Hello John. Hello Al — we love you. Greg Bell Eugene ^YAMAHA Motor Scooters SPECIAL SALE PRICES 80 cc • Carries 2 people • 40-45 mph Special Sale Price reg. 895.00 NOW 74500 Ask About Our Credit Terms • Free Demo Rides SINCE 1947 § 20th South "A” & Main. Springfield Only 4 miles from campus • 747-9354 OPEN Mon -Sat 9 a m.-6 p m ^German AUTO SERVICE VW’S MERCEDES BMW’S DATSUN TOYOTA Reliable service lor your Q QQ4 Q 2025 Franklin Blvd foreign car since 1963 O^T Am I fa. Eugene. 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