The Neighborhood Services Program Assessment is now available for review and feedback. The report can be found online at www.eugene-neighborhoods.org and at each of the City’s libraries, community centers, and at the Atrium building, 99 W. 10th Ave. Public comment has been extended until 5:00 p.m. on December 31, 2008. Your comments are greatly encouraged. Additional input will be valuable to the City of Eugene as they move forward with implementation of the concepts discussed in the report.

The City of Eugene contracted with JLA Public Involvement to conduct an assessment and make recommendations regarding how the neighborhood program could be improved to better support the goals of the City Council’s Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative. The assessment final report reflects information discovered in more than 250 online surveys and sidewalk surveys, and more that 35 interviews of city staff, neighborhood leaders, residents, representatives of the University of Oregon, Eugene Water & Electric Board, the Lane Transit District and non-profit and business stakeholders. Included in the assessment of Eugene’s Neighborhood Program is an informative report of “best practices” compiled from research of neighborhood programs in other communities that are similar to Eugene in size and governance.

The City of Eugene values the work of neighborhoods and the importance of public involvement in municipal decision making. Community feedback received regarding the 22 recommendations, research and best practices contained within the report will help guide City decisions on whether or how to implement the consultant’s recommendations.

The public is invited to submit feedback in whatever way is easiest, via phone, the web page, or in writing. For more information or to provide comments:

Contact: Adrienne DeDona, Project Manager
On the web: www.eugene-neighborhoods.org
By Mail: 1110 SE Alder Street, Suite 301, Portland, OR 97214
By email: adedona@jlainvolve.com
By phone: (503) 235-5881