10/09/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Schwartz noted that the downtown has lost its major retail anchors with a single exception. He noted that any figures quoted tonight for total retail sales would include Sears Roebuck Company, an anchor that has left the downtown. Mr. Schwartz said that cities with nonlinear malls have experienced consistent problems and linear malls have a higher rate of success. Mr. Schwartz said Eugene's experience shows that the redevelopment of Willamette Street to two-way traffic between 10th and 11th avenues was a catalyst for the restoration of the Schaefer's Building and McDonald Theater Building. About $1 million has been invested in building improvements in the one-block area; retail sales in the one-block area since reopening are up 40 percent. Retail appraisers report that the mall inhibits property values and - investments and believe traffic on Olive Street will improve values. Urban designers who have served as consultants to the City, such as Don Miles, believe in the concept of a successful pedestrian/automobile mix in public spaces downtown. Mr. Miles recommended, after study, that Olive Street be converted to a combination pedestrian-vehicle street. He believed that traffic will concentrate and intensify pedestrian activity, increase accessibility to businesses, and increase pedestrian visibility. Mr. Schwartz said a recent survey in the Eugene-Springfield area showed that improving downtown access was second only to recently completed airport improvements and other projects to improve the area's general economic health. Mr. Schwartz said air quality concerns have been addressed by better technology and air quality downtown has improved. It has become more e acceptable in urban design for pedestrians and vehicles to share space, and in many cases this has improved the vitality of urban spaces. Mr. Schwartz presented a slide show illustrating downtown's evolution from the early 1950s to the present time. Mr. Schwartz briefly discussed gross receipts. In 1974 gross receipts downtown were $52 million in retail sales. In today's dollars that would be about $132 million. In 1989, gross receipts are projected to be about $86 million. Without Sears in the picture, the gross receipts would be about $76 million. Mr. Schwartz said the commission was concerned about the growing number of retail centers being built north and south of the Beltline. Mr. Schwartz did not think that the downtown would have lost Sears had it been stronger. One-half million square feet of retail space is being added to the fringes of Eugene and this has impacted downtown considerably. Mr. Schwartz maintained that the mall was not working and the situation must be fixed. He believed opening Olive Street was a start in this direction. He could not assure the council that there would be an increase in gross receipts and sales, but historically this has occurred. Ms. Prichard discussed downtown management issues. She said over the last three years many studies have been done and all have made generally the same recommendations. The same issues of access and visibility were brought up e MINUTES--City Council/Downtown Commission-- October 9, 1989 Page 3 Dinner/Work Session