11/26/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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B..Mall Activity Committee Report - Copies of report were previously distributed to Council members setting forth recommendations of the group appointed to seek ways 'to enhance attraction of the downtown mall to the general public. Navarre Davis, chairman, introduced members of the committee, some of whom were present, and .- 'explained the committee's priority recommendation was the hiring of a person to ;manage and co-ordinate activities on the mall, and whose salary would be funded by iroom tax revenues. This they felt would develop better guidelines for control and : assist in creation of a better downtown environment. The committee felt commercial 'activities on the mall at this time were not appropriate, recommending reconsidera- tion after one year. This recommendation was based on the availability of a wide variety of business locations in the downtown area, experience will have been gained by the committee with various activities suggested by it, decision will have been made with regard to covering the mall area, and legal questions will have been re- solved with regard to activities on the mall, particularly outdoor cafes. ,Mayor Anderson commende~ the commi ttee for its work and the time and effort spent ,even though the recommendations presented, he said, probably did not meet expecta- tions of some. Councilwoman Campbell expressed interest in the sidewalk cafe pro- ,posal and hoped that problems would be resolved to allow their operation. Mr.Davis said it would be further explored if the Council was interested in developing that type of activity. : Councilman Keller expressed disappointment at the recommendation to delay considera- :tion of commercial activities on the mall for a year. He referred to the Saturday Market and said it would appear from the acceptance of that activity by the public there should be a similar operation which could be initiated in the mall to generate _. ,business. He felt business people in the downtown area were not being creative enough, ,that they were "running away" from the market. Mr. Davis replied that the committee spent a major part of its time discussing concerns expressed by Mr. Keller, but study in more detail was felt necessary. Vince Farina, committee member, cited some of the problems inherent in trying to extend commercial activities to the mall - how to decide types of businesses to be allowed, locations, length of time permitted, licensing, etc. For this reason the committee placed priority on the employment of a mall manager. Plus the consensus that increased cultural activities would generate more interest in that area without the necessity of having to sell something. Councilman Murray felt commercial activity on the mall would be of value and thought merchants now located in that area should extend their sales activities into the mall. Mr. Davis said the committee report did include a provision for special sales activi- ties on the mall in a co-ordinated, organized fashion through the Downtown Association. Then based on that experience further activities could be initiated. He said should - __ _..._ . _.-........~~. ' .. - . '0_ . anyone wish to -initiate a business activity on the mall, pay his share of the parkin~ program, etc., it is possible, but those now having stores on the mall would Object to having a commercial enterprise operating in front of their stores. He said the Downtown AsSociation voted unanimously against present merchants selling in front of 'their stores. .Councilwoman Beal said the committee obviously misunderstood the charge given by the . Council - to make money from the mall. She said the City now has the legal right to lease space on the mall for commercial purposes and she felt this would alleviate to some extent the burden of the free parking program. However, the recommendations of ,the committee, she said, are for activities calling for spending more money rather than making it. She wondered about the source of funds to pay the salary of a mall manager unless income from rental of space would offset it. It was her feeling that the mall should be a cOlnmercial place primarily and activities there should be for the purpose of attracting people to buy. Mr. Davis replied that the committee did not misunderstand the charge. lie said they spent many hours discussing the proposal of commercial activities on the mall and had arrived at the stated recommendations. He added that if a different resLLZ t was wanted, there would have to be a different committee. .- ----- : Mayor Anderson confirmed Mr. Davis' statement that the committee did understand its ,charge - it was read to them-from Council minutes, and considerabJe~background imaterial was distributed to the committee concerning the type of activities to be_ : considered. He said there was disagreement in the committee but its report outlines : the issues and recommends an approach to a solution. , , . Councilman Wood d.id not think it too difficult to provide a manager for mall activities. He hoped activities would go beyond the limitations recommended, saying there was a need for revenues which could be dl~rived by Lll10winq businesses on the mall. He re- . fer red to the sale of flowers by people on street corners, such as 18th and Chambers, as a desirable activi ty and thoughti t would benefi t those people already operating stores on the mall. Mr. Farina said the flower selling on street corners referred to appeared to be illegal - they do not have either a peddler's or nursery license - and because of resul tiny traffic congestion it presented a safety problem'. He cited . the State licensing problems to be worked out and costs involved if sale of flowers I I ,is to be permitted on the mall. lie suggested the possibility the Saturday Market '''tself may be in violation of State law. From a practical and economical standpoint, '\said, that activity would not be sound on a continuing basis. ,. . - ~. .. ; . .f! '!S2. ~ . 11/26/73 - 10 '-