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~ ~~ ~ January 26, 1999 Larry Wacker 8 City Manager, City of Salem Salem City Hall f~ ~_~ Room 220 555 Liberty St. SE R1SK MANAGEMENT Salem, OR 97301 Dear Mr. Wacker, We are writing to you on behalf of our respective governing bodies, as we prepare to make decisions on the development of the north site at Courthouse Square. Specifically, we are interested in determining the current City code provisions as they would apply to the development of multi-story wood frame housing at the site. An Apri128, 1997 memo from Bill Hea1y to the City Council (copy attached) posed the issue of an amendment to the Oregon Structural Specialty Code to enable five-story wood frame multifamily housing. Since it is less costly, we are anticipating that such construction may very well be preferred for the north site development at Courthouse Square. In initial meetings with City sta.~ it was not clear what action was taken relative to the requested building code revisions, and they suggested that our Boards request a response from your office as to the status of such codes. Our two bodies are still working on the form that a request for proposal (or a request for interest) might take when we are prepared to go to the development community. We'll be evaluating a host of development possibilities, including mixed-use retail, commercial, and housing options. It remains unknown at this point specifically the type of construction that might be proposed at the site-but we could be looking at four-story wood frame on top of a first floor concrete pedestal, or five-floor wood frame. There could be a parking garage under the construction, or the structure may be built on-grade, with no garage underneath. These issues will take on more clarity as we open bids on the 4`~ of February and begin to clearly define the Courthouse Square project. We are asking what the existing code provisions and limitations are for the development scenarios noted above, relative to height and framing options, and ho~~~ the April 1997 amendment for five-story wood frame construction was resolved. Your formal response would be of assistance to us in preparing a solicitation to the development community, and in the evaluation of responses that we receive. The District and County very much appreciate the time and assistance that has been provided by the City's staff. If there are other code restrictions or issues which the City would like to