06/08/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ms. Miller distributed information from the Eugene Firefighters Association and from downtown merchants regarding this vacation. ~ Public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor: Chuck Heauser, 1906 Lemming, stated that he is in favor of the vacation. The primary purpose of this project was to help stimulate the economy and to protect the investment. This should not be redesigned; rather, implementation should occur. Traffic patterns have been considered and without this street vacation, the danger could be increased. He has spoken to merchants on the perimeter of the mall and most feel that it would not necessarily be in the best interest of merchants on the mall to leave the street open. He submitted some petitions. He feels the vacation would benefit all citizens and merchants. e Roger Wood, 65 Monroe, stated that he is speaking for the Whiteaker Land Use and Site Review Committee. He indicated that he had distributed a letter to the council earlier. They support the concept of the vacation conditionally. The conditions of their support are: 1) an easement for pedestrian through traffic should be retained; 2) design details should allow convenient two-way flow of pedestrians (including people walking bicycles, people in wheelchairs, and other mobility-handicapped persons) between 6th and 7th avenues; 3) amenities such as landscaping, drinking fountains, lighting, and benches should be oriented for north-south pedestrian through traffic as well as for east-west traffic and crowds lingering in front of the Performing Arts Center itself; and 4) careful attention should be paid to connecting this block of Willamette to other blocks to the north and south as well as to vehicular traffic moving east and west on 6th and 7th avenues. Pedestrians approaching the Performing Arts Center along Willamette Street from the north or south should feel there is no impediment to cross 6th or 7th avenues and proceed through and past this block. Eye-level sight lines running north and south through this block should not be obstructed by landscaping or building projections. If the conditions he listed can be met, the Whiteaker Land Use and Site Review Committee recommends that the City of Eugene vacate the right-of-way in the block of Willamette Street between 6th and 7th avenues. However, if those conditions, particularly retention of a pedestrian easement, cannot be met, they strongly recommend against vacation at this time. Les Anderson, 2110 Hubbard Lane, stated that he is chairperson of the Civic Center Commission and the Performing Arts Commission. This street vacation request is based on the Master Site Plan, which included consideration of structure placement, design, traffic flow, aesthetic conditions, and making this area a destination area. The street has had relatively light use since creation of the urban renewal district. Some of the opposition is well-meaning, but it is based on economic conditions from post-World War II. Access is important, but streets do not have to be laid in a grid system for good transportation. Parking is important. The City has done a good job on this project. This vacation will not adversely affect business; rather, it will enhance business. Willamette Street has been closed for two years. He wondered what advantage e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 1981 Page 3