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LJ u ' , ' ~ ' ~ ' ' ' , ' ' ' , ' ' Has there been public input on the Transit Mall and county office project? Yes. Since 1985 there have been public meetings and hearings regarding the use of the "Senator block" for a transit mall. The county has had citizen committees develop long term facilities plans to provide for a consolidated county service center. In the summer of 1995, the Transit district appointed a technical committee to evaluate over a dozen potential Transit Mall sites. The technical committee selected the "Senator site" as it first choice. A community Blue Ribbon committee of 26 people (see attached) reviewed the technical committee's choices. The "Senator block" was preferred by the Blue Ribbon committee if the block was available for development. In 1995 after the concept of joint development was pursued by the Transit District and Marion County, Marion County, the City of Salem and the Transit District held a joint public work session. The work session was held to discuss the Tax Management Plan and to unveil the concept of the joint development on the "Senator block". Since that first conceptual introduction in November 1995, there have been 66 public hearings, forums and public presentations regarding the project using radio, television, newspaper and open public meetings to convey the project's concept and progress in which the Transit District participated. There were other public sessions conducted by Marion County in which the Transit District did not participate. The Transit District Board of Directors received a monthly status report on the project either as a stand-alone report or as a part of the general manager's report. The county commissioners received regular written status reports from Randy Curtis. All board meetings and work sessions are open to both the public and the press. (Support information: Tabs 8-10) ~