04/26/1971 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

""l e 37-0 4/26/71 I " I I I I , I I I. i' d 1\ II !I I' ,I " I. " , Ii Ii Ii , !i !l :; Mr. Don Derickson, Vice President of the Auditorium Association, summarized past planning and action of the Auditorium Association. He explained the need for closure of the street to provide an integrated facility. 11 II I, II Mr. Ed Ragazzino, Project Coordinator~ said he has been working on this project since 1964. He outlined reasons for selection of this site, and problems with design if the vacation is not permitted. His major concerns were economic, both for the people of the City and of the' Association. The facility is for people, and an integrated center would be better for people. Mr. John Amundson, Architect, mentioned' sites previously considered, and reason for selection of a downtown site. He felt the merchants would be benefitted by the downtown site, and that after travelers became accustomed to the closure, it would cease to cause annoyance. Retention ofWillamette Street as a traffic carrier would have a very serious impact on the economic viability of the project. I 'I I, Ii I! Ii Ii I, I' Ii Ii ,I Ii ,I " 'I It Ii I: !; I ,I Mr. Derickson said it was the Association feeling that the Convention Center .would operate most productively and efficiently if it was a single, continuous site, and that this is the basis of the request for eventual vacation ofWillamette. It ,would be approximately two years before the street would actually be closed. A Council decision is needed, however, before planning can proceed. e Mrs. Gertrude Kaufman, downtown merchant, thought closure of Willamette Street would be very detrimental to merchants. It is now difficult for people to find stores downtown, with construction of the Mall. It would be a mistake to close "another street at this time. Mike Lynch, Coburg Road, said he had taken a traffic count on Willamette Street, and that, as a result of the count, he 'could see no reason to close Willamette Street. Mr. George Boenke, representing Eugene Downtown Association, reiterated that they had voted unanimously against closure. I " II I: ii Maurie Jacobs, downtown businessman, agreed with Mrs., Kaufman's statements. He did not think any attempt should be made at this time to change the traffic patterns or public buying habits. I i: I' I' ,i i: I' :1 Ii II " 'I i' I !i !I I, ; I II I! I' 11 Mr. S. Nemerovsky, business operator at 716 Willamette Street, read a statement in opposition to the closure. He said he liked the idea of a cultural center, but he did not want to pay for it. Archie Weinstein, Eugene Surplus Sales, did not think an auditorium center would ever be built on this site. He felt it should be located near the. stadium where there is adequate room and parking available. Harry Ritchie, 856 Willamette, said he had made a decision to relocate his downtown store in the Mall, and he would certainly hate to see traffic disturbed further in the downtown area. Mr. Ed Rubey, 2830 Laurelwood Lane, said he had been instrumental in c~eating an Auditorium study committee, and there is public desire for such a facility. Howev~r, he felt closure of Willamette Street had a very direct bearing on downtown business people, and they would certainly not be helped by such a move. ., r , .'.; I I' " :1 'I ii I' :1 ii 'i II 'I I. I 'I II :1 I, I' !! :1 I' I :1 City Manager said the Council had been furnished with voluminous material concerning this proposal, and that staff would therefore, respond to questions the Council may have. e In reply to Mr. Teague, Mr. Amundsbn said'it would be technically possible to design a facility without closure of the street, but it would be economically unfeasible. Even with overpassess and/or underpasses, people would still cross the street at ground level. Mrs. Campbell said the architects had done a good job designing the best possible auditorium, but from the material she had read and testimony heard, she would be inclined not to vacate the street. Mayor Anderson thought the sense of the proposal was to get direction. In light of the information the Council now has, it must make a decision. Mrs. Beal was reluctant to vote against the Auditorium Association, since she felt it had done a marvelous job. However, she felt she should heed the advi~e of the Planning Commission, traffic engineer and others. She felt the Council should, perhaps, set guidelines within which the planners would have to work. Mr. Amundson explained that the site will be acquired by the Association from the Eugene Renewal Agency and they have certain established guidelines. However, the Council may wish to set others. e After discussion about possible Council direction to the Auditorium A?sociation, , Mayor Anderson requested that this matter be placed on a. committee agenda. Council 4/26/71 - 5 .....