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cH.~MBE~ aF <br />~~COMMERCE <br />To: Courthouse Square Project Team <br />From: Salem Area Chamber of Commerce <br />Date: 5eptember 25, 1998 <br />Re: Chamber Recommendations <br />The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce appreciates the time given by each of the project team <br />members to meet with our Task Force. We believed the time to be well spent. The update <br />provided was informative. We thank you for your willingness to engage in dialogue and discuss <br />the issues. We believe, as a result, that new ideas surface, existing ideas are refined, and, <br />creative problem solving occurs. Consequently, these efforts do produce positive results. <br />It is the intent of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce to help ensure that all pending decisions <br />relating to Courthouse Square are positive and enhance the viability and credibility of the project. <br />~ Most important, we desire that decisions to be made will benefit the Salem community in the <br />best possible way. <br />The Chamber has consistently cited parking as a condition of our support dating back to August <br />21, 1996. Then, the Chamber stated our support for the project with the condition that parking <br />issues get resolved. Consequently, it is imperative for the full support of the Chamber that the <br />issue of parking not be neglected. Opportunities exist now for the county and transit district to <br />make decisions that will address the Chamber's concerns. <br />Based on the update provided to our Task Force, these are the Chamber recommendations for <br />yow consideration: <br />I. Parking: <br />A) Underground parking should be constructed on the north block in concert with the <br />construction of Courthouse Square. Consequently, the Chamber strongly recommends that the <br />Project Team move forward with parking alternative 2 as shown in the Direct Construction Cost <br />Summary provided by the project team. <br />B) The project team should attempt to solicit RFPs for the development of the north block as <br />soon as possible. It makes good economic sense to provide developers every opportunity to <br />develop the north block without undue delay. In addition, it could enhance the image and <br />~ credibility of the entire project. <br />1110 Commercial St. NE • Salem, OR 97301-1020 •(503) 581-1466 • Fax (503) 581-0972 <br />