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i~ It it s mattrr of public rxord that Transit and the County have eagagod in nu~roas. public discussions regarding deairable types of improvanarts for the Nath Hlock site. Soa~e of these discussia~s have bcGn the sabjed of ~ covuage, and could lead respa~dents to conclude that certain types of developmaot might be prGftarod. At various timea, the Boards have discussod r~a~ ground floor uses with housing in upper floors. Day care ~ata~s hsve ban mentionod as a potentiul use. Mixod-use, with retail and c~cial space has also beea mentiaiod. At this point in time, the Procuring Ageacy is consciously remaining open to proposals from the develc~mwt ~mity. Tl~e Board: believe that it is in tl~ public's best interest to co~sida any and all proposals on thar ovvn marits, and are not dirocting respondeats to atry spccifiod land uses or mix of uses. In addition to the econotnics of dcvelopment options, the Procuring Agarcy is intcnstod in a projed that adds ~~Y ~ P~~ SY~Y to the block. There are same limits plaad insofar as certain uses which will not be Panutted, such as liqua or tobacco stores and outlets dealing in obsa~e materials. A Market Analysis of officx, retail, and commucial spacx in the downtown Salan area wes condueted in Docanber 1999 by the firm of Palmer, Groth, and Pietka. This document will be made available to atry Responda~t who reqtxsts it. The Courthouse S9~ P~lect has baa porhaps the most highly visible development to take place in Downt~vn Salem in our community's history. There has boen much discussion and d~ebate 8~~ bY ~ P~J~, and an active intaest has bcen focussed from the outset on the type and role of private development within thc block At various ti~nes, a number of different types of uses have been discussed by the Transit and County Boards. Among ti~e develapment options that have bcea discussed are: subsidized housing; affacdable housing; upscale housing; retail spaces; nstaurants; govcrnmart offices; private of~ices; day care centers; mixed•use of two or more of th~ese optians; a conf~ce carter; an urban parlc; end, a downtown parking lo~ 11ure are m~ny community ~ganizations and agencies that have expressed views on potGntial uses of tl~e North Block site, including tl~e Salem Downtown Association, the Salan Chamba of C.omm~erce, the City of Sulem Do~virtovvn Development Board, City st~ as w~ell es thc Transit Board and Macian Crnmty Board of C.ommission~rs thansdves. Sa~ne of the input from these bodies shares consistart and c~patt'ble strains, while input fram other sources is divergart and contradict~y. Retlecxing the diverse vievvpoints aai the appropriate use for the site, thexe ac+e disbinc~ and ia sa~e instanas oompeting values which imderlie the views. Should the project maximize reve~ue r~tum to the Disirid and Coimty, or shwtd it sdtle for a lower rCurn if desirable social goals can be mc~? Should the project include the maoamum anouM of P~S 1~Ible, ar should it disc~age ParkinS and increased traffic in the dawntorovn arr,~7 ShoUld tbe aelactod use(s) for the site maximize the downtown tax roll, or mcet governn~ent's aood for spaoe? Shauld there be spocific ~esthetic requiremeats for the design and use of the site, or should such considerati~s be Gntircly morket- drivea? . The Procuring Agency has struggled with the complexity and diversity of these issues. Their decision-making is oomplicate~ by ~e fact that they do not tnily lmow what the "potentialities" are fac the North Block site. The Salan/Keizer urea has an active and creative development community tlwt can bring much to the discussion of thc poteatial of the North Block. But, the nature of the developmart process requires a degree of private strategizing, ~t dcvelapment, and finanaial innovation, ~nd the Procuring AgcacY ~~ P~PP~ what unique and viable proposals might be forthcoming finm the private devclopment soctor. 3. PURPOSE OF THE RFI This RFURFQ sa;ks developmrnt concepts, Plans, and/or strategies far the North Block site. Raspa~nts are a~eouragod to provide as much detail as thcy feel comfortable providing to the Procuring Ag~c.y, rcalizing that the Agau,y will still have the responsibility ahead of it to make dxisions as to what type or types of devclapment to 3