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- e e Discussing the process for considering the proposal, Mr. Duke said staff presented the proposal to all property owners and occupants on Willamette Street between 11th and 20th avenues and held a pUblic meeting on February 19, 1986. He said the Downtown Commission and the Planning Commission held a joint public hearing on March 18, 1986, to receive testimony on the proposal. He said six major issues emerged. They concerned the traffic flow at 18th and Willamette; the potential for additional accidents; the loss of parking; the difficulties for pedestrians and bicyclists of crossing Willamette Street, particularly at 12th and 15th avenues; the possible increase in "gut" traffic; and the impact of the change on non-commercial uses from 18th to 24th avenues. Mr. Duke said the Planning Commission and the Downtown Commission recommended that Willamette Street be converted to two-way traffic between 11th and 13th avenues now and that the conversion of Willamette Street from 13th to 20th avenues be included in the Central Area Transportation Study. Mr. Duke described the study. He said the Downtown and Planning commissioners empha- sized the importance of Willamette Street which, they said, is to be the main street into the downtown. Mr. Duke said the councilors received copies of all the testimony submitted except a letter which was received this afternoon from Deborah Harrison of E. A. Mock and Sons, Inc., 211 West 6th. The letter indicated support for the conversion. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Rich Weinman of the Development Depart- ment said the southern boundary of the area which the Downtown Commission represents is 13th Avenue. A. Dean OWens is a member of the Downtown Commission. He said he represented that commission and the Planning Commission. He said the commissioners addressed the concerns of people who will be affected by the change and, because there was very little opposition to the conversion from 11th to 13th avenues, the commissioners felt there was sufficient data to recommend approval of it. He said most of the commissioners indicated they would like to see the results of the Central Area Transportation Study before making a decision about the conversion from 13th to 20th avenues because of impacts at the southern end of the area. He said the compromise which resulted in the commissions' recommendation included a condition that a draft of the Central Area Transportation Study should be completed by October 1986 and a statement that emphasized that the commissioners want to re-establish Willamette Street as a major thoroughfare to downtown Eugene. Answering questions from Mr. Hansen, Mr. Owens said he thought the downtown commissioners will consider converting Wil1amette Street to two-way traffic from 13th to 20th avenues before they consider extending Willamette Street north from lOth Avenue. Mr. Duke added that two-way traffic from 11th to 13th avenues will enhance the traffic circulation downtown and create a gateway to the downtown from west Eugene. Mayor Obie said the council appreciated the work of the Downtown Commission and the Planning Commission. He said the testimony at the public hearing of the commissions was excellent. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 14,1986 Page 2