Broadway proposal at critical juncture.

Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard

It may be the meeting that determines the fate of downtown's West Broadway.

The Broadway property owners who would need to sell to make way for new commercial development in the heart of Eugene have been invited by the developers to a conference on Friday.

About a dozen property owners were invited to the private meeting to "determine if any common ground can be found" to move the project forward, said Jenny Ulum, a spokeswoman for the development group.

"By getting all the parties together face to face, the developers hope to improve communication, avoid rumors and speculation, and reassure property owners that all will be treated equitably."

Downtown property owners Tom Connor and Don Woolley and their Portland-based development firm, Opus Northwest, want to build a $165 million retail, housing and entertainment complex on 2 1/4 blocks along Broadway between Willamette and Charnelton streets.

Connor and Woolley own several of the properties, but they and Opus have so far been unable to buy an adjoining 16 properties controlled by 12 different owners that Connor and Woolley want for the project.

Jo Dee Moine, one of the adjacent property owners, said she probably will go to the meeting, which will be at the Hilton Eugene.

Moine, who owns Luckey's Club Cigar Store on Olive Street, just off Broadway, said the developers and city officials will be at the meeting. "I am willing to hear what they have to say," she said. "I have no idea what that will be."

John Bartell, Opus Northwest vice president and general manager, last month said that he hoped to figure out within the next few weeks whether the developers would be able to acquire the properties either on their own, or with city help. The developers have said they don't want the city to use its condemnation powers.

On Monday, Bartel said he hoped to have a better idea by the end of next week whether the adjoining property owners might be willing to sell.

Ulum said the developers "expect to come away from this meeting with a better idea of whether they will be able to come to agreement with the property owners, and if there is merit in continuing to pursue the project."

If the developers are unable to deal with some property owners, they could ask the city to take the lead on negotiations.

Last month, the city agreed to let John Brown, a Eugene commercial real estate agent, help the negotiations. Brown could secure purchase options on behalf of the city or the developers, and he also might find replacement properties for the Broadway owners, according to the city contract.

The city would pay Brown $200 an hour, up to a maximum of $10,000, the contract said.

Denny Braud of the city's community development division said the city picked Brown because he helped the city of Springfield secure purchase options on several Glenwood area properties for possible redevelopment. Brown "presented some pretty creative approaches to do that," Braud said.