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Home My WebLink AboutItem 01 Economic Opportunities Analysis/Economic Development Strategy AGENDA ITEM. SUMMARY Meeting Date: Meeting Type: June 23rd, 2008 Joint City Council/Planning Commission Work Session Development Services David Reesor ~ 726-3783 ~ 90 minutes Department: Staff Contact: Staff Phone No: Estimated Time: SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL ITEM TITLE: ACTION REQUESTED: ISSUE STATEMENT: ATTACHMENTS: DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES ANALYSIS / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Conduct a joint work session with the Planning Commission regarding the Economic Opportunities Analysis / Economic Development Strategy portion of the. Commercial Industrial Buildable Lands (CffiL) / Urban Growth Boundary Study. ECONorthwest requests direction from the City Council and the Planning Commission regarding the preferred methodology for employment growth. . The purpose of this joint City Council / Planning Commission work session is to: (1) present survey results to the Planning Commission / City Council; (2) discuss economic development objectives and target industries based on the June 9th worksession; (3) present employment forecasts and receive direction regarding preferred methodology; and (4) discuss redevelopment potential in Springfield. ECONorthwest will facilitate this work session. Attachment 1: Employment Forecast Memorandum from ECONorthwest Attachment 2: Survey Memorandum from ECONorthwest The attached memoranda provide employment forecasts and a summary of the results of the . Community Development Survey. These fmdings will be discussed at the work session. ECONorthwest will seek input from the Council and Planning Commission regarding the following questions: · What is the appropriate rate of employment growth for Springfield over the next twenty- years? · How much redevelopment does the City want to encourage? What type of redevelopment should be encouraged and where should it occur? · Does the City want to encourage employment in non-employment zones? In other words, to what extent does the City want to allow or encourage home-based occupations and neighborhood commercial uses? ECONorthwest is requesting direction from the City Council and the Planning Commission regarding the preferred methodology for employment growth. The employment growth rate will ultimately guide the site needs analysis portion of the UGB study. The State allows cities to choose a "safe harbor" approach to forecast employment growth in order to satisfy policy requirements. The City is not obligated to use a safe harbor method, but selecting a rate that does not exceed either of the safe harbors listed in OAR 660-024-0040(8) significantly decreases the chances of the forecast being challenged successfully. One potential safe harbor method (Option 1) assumes employment will grow at the same rate as population (1 %). The second safe harbor method (Option 2) assumes that Springfield's employment will grow at the same rate as Lane County's employment (1.4%). The third option (not safe harbor - Option 3) assumes that Springfield will capture a larger share of regional employment and grow at a faster rate than Lane County's employment (2%). Again, however, staff agrees with the consultant that the complexities associated with not selecting a safe harbor option create risk that would distract Springfield from its goal of establishing the discreteUGB and expanding it, as preliminary findings indicate will be necessary. Reexamining the employment forecast after establishment and expansion of the UGB can occur at any time and be completed as a post-acknowledgement plan amendment. As mentioned in the attached memorandum related to employment forecast, ECONorthwest recommends that the City use the Lane County employment growth rate methodology (Option 2) because (1) it uses a safe harbor methodology, and (2) the population growth rate methodology (Option 1) could be questioned since the urban area does not have a coordinated population forecast. ECONorthwest ECONOMICS · FINANCE · PLANNING Phone. (541) 687-0051 FAX. (541) 344-0562 info@eugene.econw.com Suite 400 99 W. 10th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401-3001 Other Offices Portland · (503) 222-6060 Seattle · (206) 622-2403 June 18, 2008 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Springfield Planning Commission and City Council . Bob Parker and Beth Goodman EMPLOYMENT GROWTH RATES IN SPRINGFIELD ECONorthwest is in the process of conducting an economic opportunities analysis (BOA) for the City of Springfield. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the amount of land needed within the Springfield Urban Growth Boundary for commercial and industrial development over the 2008 to 2028 period. According to State policy, the EOA must determine tota11and needs for employment uses through identification of "needed sites." Oregon's Administrative Ru1es state that: "The economic opportunities analysis must identify the number of sites by type reasonably expected to be needed to accommodate the expected employment growth..." (OAR 660-009-0015(2)). Implicit in this requirement is a forecast of employment growth for the planning period. Like popu1ation forecasts, the State provides "safe harbors" for forecasting employment growth, which are methods that the City can use to satisfy policy requirements..OAR 660-024-0040(8) provides two safe harbors for forecasting employment growth, '.Vhich are applicable to Springfield: The local government may estimate that the current number of jobs in the urban area will grow during the 20-year planning period at a rate equal to either: (A) The county or regional job growth rate provided in the most recent forecast published by the. Oregon Employment Department; or (B) The population growth rate for the urban area in the adopted 20-year coordinated populationforecast specified in OAR 660-024-0030.1 - At the June 23rd worksession we would like direction from City Council and the Planning Commission about what method you prefer for employment growth. The City is not obligated to use a safe harbor method, but selecting a rate that does not exceed either of the safe harbors significantly decreases the chances of the forecast being challenged. In general, using a forecast that exceeds either of the two safe harbor growth rates places a higher burd~n of proof on the CitY, and wou1d probably require regional coordination under statewide planning Goal 2. 1 A recent decision by Lane County suggests that the urban area does not have an adopted 20-year coordinated population forecast ATTACHMENT 1 - 1 Springfield Employment Growth Rates June 18, 2008 ECONorthwest Page 2 The remainder of this memorandum presents forecasts of Springfield's employment using the two safe harbor methods (Options 1 and 2}aswell as a forecast that assumes Springfield will capture a larger share of the region's employment (Option 3). EMPLOYMENT FORECASTS FOR SPRINGFIELD . Table 1. Covered and estimated total employment in Springfield by sector, 2006 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, & Mining Construction Manufacturing . Wholesale Trade Retail Transportation & Warehousing & Utilities Information Finance & Insurance Real Estate & Rental & Leasing Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services Management of Companies & Enterprises Admin. & Support & Waste Mgt Serv!ces Private Educational Services Health Care & Social Assistance Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation Accommodation & Food Services Other Services Government ,To6l.ii:\~:*%1;.';~!j[::;::!:;::;1;:if:; ... ... "., ......... .... ......... 22 205 104 71 265 55 24 99 98 97 24 82 12 167 30 179 217 68 ..1;....9. . .. ~ , . '.. '.'#'~'.:.';, .:" . '. ..' "): }~.i .>)t~: ;:~1-i~~;~:;:~;1;)~:i~~:};~~~~:;~)~~~:i) .. 282 1 % 1,922 7% 2,714 10% 1,230 5% 3,632 13% 941 3% 1,356 5% 1,110 4% 441 2% 576 2% 343 1% 2,460 9% 109 0% 3,069 11% 321 1 % 2,453 9% 816 3% 3,535 13% ;:';'.2t~~1.Q::;j;il:i~;~~~>W~::.10P.~ 387 1 % 2,973 8% 2,750 7% 1,446 4% 4,609 13% 1,349 4% 1,710 5% 1,673 5% 1,341 4% 1,107 3% 354 1 % 3,239 9% 290 1 % 4,008 11% m 2% 2,686 7% 1,685 5% 4,322 12% i;'i:f:i;;;~~it.~~,j:%;jii~;i~i::ij:f~:1QQ~ii Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Woridorce (QCEW) data from the Oregon Employment Department; Total Employment data from Bureau of Labor Statistics; and calculations by ECONorthwest Note: Covered employment is based on confidential Quarterly Census of Employment and Wo~orce (OCEW) data from the Oregon Employment Department. Total employment is estimated based on the ratio of Lane County's covered to total employment in each sedor. ' 2 ECO estimated total employment based on the ratio of Lane County's covered to total employment in each sector. ECO assumed that Springfield would have the same ratio of covered to total employment by sector as Lane County. ATTACHMENT 1 - 2 Springfield Employment Growth Rates June 18, 2008 ECONorthwest Page 3 As PeaceHealth completes its relocation to RiverBend, Springfield's total employment base will grow by the number of employees that move to RiverBend. lIDs growth is not accounted for in the employment base because PeaceHealth's relocation is a one~time event that is not predicted in employment growth trends. According to Phillip Fcirrington, PeaceHealth's Director of Land Use Planning and Development, RiverBend will have about 2,400 employees at the hospital and about 350 staff at Oregon Medical Labs, Oregon Tmavng Center, and the Northwest Specialty. Clinics. ECO added these 2,750 employees to Springfield's employment base for 2008. Table 2 shows employment growth. in Springfield using the safe harbors described in OAR 660,:, 024-0040(8): · Option 1: Assuming employment will grow at the same rate as population (OAR 660-024-0040(8)(a)(i)). Springfield has asked the County to assume that the City's population growth will be 1.0%, the same rate as Lane County's population forecast from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis.3 Using this safe harbor for employment growth, Springfield's employment base will grow by 9,066 employees between 2008 and 2028, an increase of23%. · Option' 2: Assuming that Springfield's employment will grow at the same rate as Lane County's 'employment (OAR 660-024-0040(8)( a) (ii)). The Oregon Employment Department forecast that employment in Lane County will grow at an average annual rate of 1.4% between 2006 and 2016. Assuming that Springfield's employment base grows at this rate, the City would add 12,868 workers between 2008 and 2028, an increase of 32%. · Option 3: Assuming that Springfield will capture a larger share of regional employment and grow at a faster rate than Lane County's Employment. ECO's preliminary analysis suggests that 2.0% annually would be a reasonable upper boundary on employment growth. Several factors help justify a higher growth rate: recent successes in attracting major employers. such as PeaceHealth and Symantec, the City's desire to encourage employment growth, its proximity to Interstate 5 and others. Assuming that Springfield's employment base grows at this rate, the City would add 19,894 workers between 2008 and 2028, an increase of 49%.1ms method, however, does not fall under any of the safe harbors, and therefore requires a higher burden of proof.4 3 The 1.0% average annual growth rate is derived from the safe harbor population forecast ECONorthwest presented in a Maye23M, 2008 memorandum to Ed Moore, DLCD Regional Representative. 4 The 2.0% average annual growth rate is preliminary. Additional research is needed to justify a higher growth rate assumption; this research could result in modifications ~ the growth rate. ATTACHMENT 1 - 3 Springfield Employment Growth Rates June 18, 2008 ECONorthwest Page 4 Table 2. Employment forecasts, Springfield, 2008~2028 2008 40,210 2028 49,276 2030 50,288 Change 2008 to 2028 Employees' 9,066 ' Percent 230/0 . AAGR 1.00/0 40,483 53,351 54,844 40,939 60,833 63,291 12,868 320/0 1.40/0 19,894 490/0 2.00/0 Source:ECONorthwe~ It is worth noting that the employment projections in this memorandum do not take into account a maj or jump in employment that could result from the location of one or more large employers in the community during the planning period. This could take place if the City were successful in its recruitment efforts, either on its own and/or in conjunction with the Governors Initiative to bring new industry to the State. PeaceHealth and Symantec are examples of such events. Such a major change in the community's employment would essentially be over and above the growth anticipated by the City's employment forecast and the implied land needs (for employment, but also for housing, parks and other uses). Major economic events such as the successful recruitment of a very large employer are very difficult to include in a study of this nature. The implications, however, are relatively predictable: more demand for land (of all types) and public . ' servIces. It is also important to recognize the relationship between the employment forecast and land need. Goal 9 requires cities identify "the number of sites by type' reasonably. expected to be needed to ~ccommodate the expected employment growth based on the site characteristics typical of expected uses." The number of needed sites is dependent on the site requirements of employers. ECO is not yet at the point where we can develop acreage estimates. In summary, 'the safe harbor methodologies can be considered conserVative and it is possible that employment in Springfield Will grow faster than either of these forecasts predict. Even so, ECO recommends that the City use the Lane County employment growth rate methodology (Option 2) because (1) it uses a safe harbor methodology, and (2) the population growth rate methodology could be questioned since the urban area does' not have a coordinated popula~on forecast. ATTACHMENT 1 - 4 ECONorthwest ECONOMICS · FINANCE · PLANNING Phone · (541) 687-0051 FAX · (541) 344-0562 info@eugene.econw.com Suite 400 99 W. 10th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401-3001 Other Offices Portland · (503) 222-6060 Seattle · (206) 622-2403 June 11, 2008 TO: CC: FROM: SUBJECT: Springfield City Council and Planning Commission . David Reesor and Linda Pauly Bob Parker and Beth Goodman SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SURVEY SUMMARY This memorandum summarizes results from the Springfield Community Development Survey. The City administered the survey on-line via the web site "surveymonkey.com" and gathered responses from Apri14, 2008 through May 27, 2008. The intent of the. survey was to give Springfield decisionmakers, city staff, and ECONorthwest anecdotal information on the opinions and preferences of respondents. The survey was not intended to be statistically representative of the views of all citizens of Springfield. The survey had a total of214 respondents, with 186 respondents completing the entire survey. While the majority of respondents live within the Springfield UGB (more than 70% of respondents), some respondents did not live iI;1 Springfield. Of the nearly 30% of respondents not living in Springfield, approximately half (14% of all respondents) owned or managed a business in Springfield. For the most part, the opinions of Springfield residents and non-residents were ' very similar. In the few cases where opinions differed substantially between residents and non- residents, these differences are noted. ' The remainder of the memorandum presents the questions and results from the survey, organized by question number from the survey. RESPONDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF SPRINGFIELD Ql: How long have you lived in Springfield? Fewer than 2 years 2 to 5 years 5 to 10 ears 10 to 20 ears More than 20 years I do not live in Springfield .ATTACHMENT 2 - 1 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 2 Q 2: Do you think Springfield is a better place to live than i~ was 10 years ago (or since you have lived in Springfield)? Q3: Please explain your response to Question 2. About 80% ,of respondents (170 responses) answered question three. The themes of the responses are: · Of the respondents who answered yes, the most frequently cited reasons include: many new businesses, newer, more vibrant buildings, an improved downtown, and the EmX. . Of the respondents who answered no, the most frequently cited reasons include: the homeless population, problems with gangS and crime, aesthetics of downtown, and disorganized city planning. , Q4: B;ow would Y,ou rate the overall quality of life in Springfield? ATTACHMENT 2 - 2 Springfield Community Development Survey , June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 3 Q5: How important are the following community amenities to you? Q6: Following is a list of community issues. Please indicate whether you think each issue presents a problem' for the City of Springfield. Q7: Following is a list of areas in Springfield that may be redeveloped. Please indicate how important you think redevelopment is for each area. Springfield residents were more likely to indicate that redevelopment was a low priority in on Main Street (26% of respondents living in Springfield) ATTACHMENT 2 - 3 Springfield Comm~nity Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 4 Q8 : Community development involves tradeoffs. Land development can be balanced with land conservation. PI~ase indicate how important preserving the following natural and community amenities are to you.' . About 70% of Springfield residents indicated that development on hillsides was important or very important, compared to 67% of all respondents. About 69% of Springfield residents indicated that development in riparian was important or very important, compared :to 65% of all respondents. URBAN DEVELOPMENT Q9: How would you describe the rate of growth in the City of Springfield? QI0: Municipal governments can adopt policies that affect the rate of growth. Please indicate which approach you think the City of Springfield should tak~ with respect to growth. ATTACHMENT 2 - 4 I i , Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 E~ONorthwest Page 5 I ! Qll: New development requires investment in new and existing in,frastructure (roads, sewer, etc.). Who do you feel should be responsible for paying for upgrading existing infrastructure or building new infrastructure? (select all that apply) About 35% of Springfield residents indicated that developers should Hie responsible, compared to 31 % of all respondents. ' , ATTACHMENT 2 - 5 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 6 Q12: Urban development requires land. Development can use less land if it occun at higher densities. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements regarding the trade-off between land use an~ density. About 32% of Springfield residents either agreed or strongly agreed that the City should encourage more multiple family housing to increase residential density, compared to 37% of all respondents. . About 54% of Springfield residents either agreed or strongly agreed that the City should limit the supply of commercial land to facilitate redevelopment of commercial areas, compared to 47% of all respondents. . ReSidential development in Springfield is too dense Residential development in Springfield is not dense enough The Oty should adopt polides requiring residential development to occur at higher densities to use less land The Oty should adopt polides requiring commerdal and indusbial development to oCOJr at higher densities to use less land The aty should encourage more multiple family housing to increase residential density The Oty should encourage higher residential densities when provided in conjunction with more open space The Oty should encourage redevelopment in existing residential areas to increase residential density The aty should encourage infill in existing residential areas to increase residential 'density The aty should limit the supply of commerdalland to fadlitate redevelopment of commerdal areas ATTACHMENT 2 - 6 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ' ECONorthwest Page 7 Q13: In considering a mix of development, compact development and a mix housing types could be considered as part of the mix to achieve the following objectives. In considering the tradeoffs between compact development (e.g., higher densities), please indicate how import each of the following community development goals are to you. . Q14: Should Springfield consider expanding its urban growth boundary to provide additional sites for commercial development? Q15: Should Springfield consider expanding its urban growth boundary to provide additional sites for industrial development? Q16: If a need is identified, which approach do you prefer for meeting the needs of residential development? ATTACHMENT 2 - 7 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 8 ECONOM'IC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES Q17: Many cities have economic, development programs that affect the rate of business and "employment growth. Please indicate which statement most closely represents the approach you think the City of Springfield should take with respect to economic development. Q18: Who do you feel should be working to recruit, retain, and expand businesses to the City? (Check all that apply) The City municipal government) The Chamber of Commerce Lane Metro Partnership (regional economic and business development organization) Nobody--Iet the market work on its own Other (please specify) ATTACHMENT 2 - 8 CJ .... s = = Q CJ ~ ~ t'I.l = ~ .. ~ = .... = ~ Q ~ ~ - = = ~ ~ .... u ~ ..cl ~ ~ = ..cl ~ ~ = = .c = t'I.l ~ = ~ e ~ ~ = ~ f!? t'I.l - ~ tn c:: Q) .c Q) ~ = 0 E ~ .... ~ ~ Q) ~ CO oS - ~ - 'E t.S ~ Q) .5 tn ~ .2 E Q) ..cl Q) tn en ~ "'0 Q) ;! 'S; c:: e 'm .... ~ ~ .c ~ = ~ e ~ ~ Q = ~ ,Q - ~ t - .. = = ~ ~ ~ ....: = ~ = .... ~ ~ e = .... =- ~ Q t'I.l_ = ~ ~ t ~~ Co\ ,.....j a ATTACHMENT 2 9 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 10 Q20: Do you own or manage a local business or are a member of the Chamber of Commerce? . Q21: What types of sites do you think Springfield needs to accommodate the businesses you listed in the previous question? (check all that apply) The responses to Q 21 were frequently different for Springfield residents and all respondents. The largest differences are as follows: . Small manufacturing sites: 51 % of SprlD.gfield residents, 57% of all respondents . Medium manufacturing sites: 47% of Springfield residents, 43% of all respondents . Large manufacturing sites: 16% of Springfield residents, 23% of all respondents . Community retail: 49% of Springfield residents, 57% of all respondents' Q22: Please list your top 3 concerns and issues about business and employment in Springfield.- . About 28% of respondents (59 responses) answered question 22. The themes of the responses are: . The appearance of downtown Springfield, which discourages business and disappoints current and potential future residents . Lengthy and costly building permitting process . Abundance of low wage jobs, and inadequate provision of benefits by employers . Safety and crime rate, substance abuse problems, homelessness, "I shouldn't feel like 1 have to watch my back" ATTACHMENT 2 - 10 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 11 . Scarcity of land . Perception that the city government that is anti-growth or anti-business . City growth is uncoordinated with transportation needs . Unqualified job applicants, difficulty hiring effective employees, shortage of skilled, educated workers, and a lack of a trade school or university \ Q23: Next, please suggest 3 actions that may help solve these issues and concerns. About 27% of respondents (57 responses) answered question 23. The themes of the responses are: · Improve and streamline th~ permitting process, be selective when permitting new businesses · Reduce prevalence of adult establishments, bolster image of cleanliness and beauty, especially in downtown and near the freeways . Address street maintenance issues, reconfigure roads and signs to reduce traffic . Actively recruit new businesses and give them incentives to come to the city . Create environment favorable to new businesses, lose the image of a red tape city · Focus on urban renewal, identify problem areas, redevelop and modernize where needed · Reform the education system, attempt to attract higher education or trade schools, and retrain "old industry" workers · Expand the urban growth boundary and expl~re annexation opportunities Q24: What makes Springfield attractive to employers? (list up to three reasons) About 28% of respondents (59 responses) answered question 24. The themes of the responses are: · The city government and community embrace business and the regulations are forgiving and progressive · General.quality of life, recreation, and "liveability" · Low: taxes, operating costs, utilities, and housing · Cheap, plentiful, and "can do" workforce · Location close to 1-5, Eugene, airport, amenities, and transportation' · Land is available, traffic flows well, easy parking and transportation, city is built to grow ATTACHMENT 2 - 11 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 12 Q25: What could be improved to make Springfield more attractive to employers? (list up to three reasons) About 25% of respondents (54 responses) answered question 25. The themes of the responses are: . Make the permitting process easier . Give tax breaks to businesses and protect private investment · Redevelop run-down areas, with a focus on adding higher class, aesthetically pleasing office space and commercial areas, especially downtown . Improve cleanliness, safety, and crime rates to make businesses more comfortable in the' city . Provide training and education opportunities both for current and future workers . Develop amenities such as a conference center and a convention center . Update the inventory of buildable land and make it available to businesses . Improve transportation by adding parl9ng downtown, decreasing congestion and traffic, improve transportation planning, and add connecting flights to major airline hub locations . Provide financial incentives for green businesses DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS' BUSINESS Q26: What type of business is your firm (check one)? ATTACHMENT 2 - 12 Springfield Community ~evelopment Survey June 2008 , ECONorthwest Page 13 Q27: How many full-time equivalent employees are in your business? , Less than 10 10-19 20-49 50-99 more than 100 Q28: What are the two biggest issues facing your business at this time? About 30% of respondents (64 responses) answered question 28. The themes of the responses are: · Recruiting and retaining qualified employees · The recent eco~omic downturn and its impact on demand · High costs associated with doing business, such as health insurance for employees · Federal,state,county,andcityregulations · Location of business: proximity to crime, homelessness, or unclean areas of the city · Slow housing market · Rising fuel prices · Competition with other local businesses Q29: Do you plan to expand your business in Springfield wi~hin the next fIVe years? . , Q30: If you plan to expand your business within the next five years, please indicate how you expect your business to grow. About 16% of respondents (34 responses) answered question 28. The themes of the responses are: · Increasing the number of full time employees ATTACHMENT 2 - 13 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 14 . _ OpeIiing a new branch or securing more office space '. Increasing business or sales volume . Marketing efforts, most commonly via the Internet Q31: How many full-time equivalent jobs will you add? and Q32: How many '.of these jobs will pay S12.001hr or more? ' Q33: Please estimate how much additional space you will need (in square feet, enter 0 if none) Q34: Please estimate how much land you will need. (in acres, enter 0 if none) ATTACHMENT 2 -14 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 15 DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS Q35: Please tell us how old you are: Less than 30 30-39 40-49 SO-59 60-69 70 and over Q36: Please tell us your gender Q37: Please tell us where you live. Inside the Springfield City Limits Between the City Limits and Urban Growth Bounda In Eu ene. In another part of Lane County Other Q3,8: Please indicate who you work for. ATTACHMENT 2 -15 Springfield Community Development Survey June 2008 ECONorthwest Page 16 FINAL COMMENTS Q39: Please write any other comments you have in the space below. About 40% of respondents (86 responses) answered question 28. The themes of the responses are: . The city is doing a good job and is moving in the right direction but needs to pay attention to issues like transportation, crime, downtown, environmental protection, and other issues discussed in the survey. . The city should focus on cleaning up downtown, lower crime, homelessness, drug use, and adult industries . The city should favor local businesses by protecting them against national business or companies from Eugene is a prime concern . The city should keep a historical mindset and remember the way Springfield used to be and use that as a model for what it grows into ATTACHMENT 2 - 16