10/22/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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(., . . Janet Calvert, President of the Board of Directors for Lane Transit District, sald the Board had invested in the 10th Street area and favored investment in e the area. It is the hub of a radial bus system. Transfer times are critical. Delays in walking could result in 3,400 transfer passengers missing their buses. The Board has taken the position that opening Willamette would be damaging to the District and its riders. The Customer Service Center would have to be relocated at a cost that would be $175,000 to $200,000 assuming no additional land cost. The cost of moving the Center would be $80,000. The costs to the system must be included in the costs of the City project. Robert Shaw, 1910 Van Buren, stated that Willamette Street was the main north-south artery .,Jt was the di vi si on between east and west. It is hard to tell people how to get to downtown because Willamette Street has been butchered. It is one of the problems with downtown. Suzanne Boyd, 3429 Stark, President of the League of Women Voters, questioned whether opening Willamette was a wise expenditure of public funds. She said the League favored the Planning Commission recommendation regarding the opening of Willamette between 10th and 11th. Bill Wiley, 975 Oak, stated that his offices overlook the Overpark and Mall. He was concerned about the deterioration occurring in the Mall area. He asked the members of the audience who advocate the opening of Willamette to raise their hands (approximately two-thirds). He stated that there are gateways to the Mall in all the directions but the South, where there is a barrier. He favored removing the street furniture that attracts vagrants. He favored opening Willamette to two-way traffic from 10th to 18th. He hoped the athletic - facility could then become a reality. Paul Covin, Lane Community College, said he wanted, to reinforce the testimony in favor of the Downtown Plan. LCC had some concerns about opening Willamette. He asked members to adopt option 1 recommended by the Planning Commission. Richard Skeie, President of Skeie1s Jewelry 1027 Willamette, stated that his family has had a store in the area for 62 years. He told how vital the area was before the Mall and contrasted that with the current state of the Mall. He said the valuation of his building went down $25,000 last year. People cannot get to the stores. There are no vagrancy laws. Increased circulation and security are needed in the area. Chester Pietka, 1251 Lincoln, praised the Downtown Commission and the Downtown Plan. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. Ms. Wooten thanked the EDD staff for the tax increment study for the 5th Street area. She asked the staff to compare expansion of the district with forming a separate district. She asked them to consider how the funds would complement parking and other projects in downtown. Ms. Wooten asked staff to study the costs of moving LTD as proposed by LTD. -- MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 22, 1984 Page 2