05/28/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. return to the council with a request for additional funds to implement the project. Mr. Holmer said the generalized language in the Downtown Plan and in the capital improvement program provided for a wide variety of implementation strategies that did not come before the council. Downtown Commission Chair Michael Schwartz said the commission again had sought approval for the plan and budget because of communication concerns. Mr. Gleason suggested using CCED to discuss any concerns the council had. Ms. Schue said the council always would take the blame for projects that were not liked, so it should be informed ahead of time. Mr. Farkas said the Broadway project currently was in the second to the last step of process, with a recommended budget to be presented to the counci 1 on June 18. Ms. Stewart described the project scope. She said improvements would be made from Charnel ton to the west side of Willamette Street and did not include any of Willamette Street or the plaza. She said the project would include a merchant zone against store fronts; an activity zone for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, displays, and activities; and an area between the two zones for trees, benches, and water fountains. Ms. Stewart said the zones were intended to create an "urban streetscape," which research had shown to strengthen and support retail activity. She said the merchant zone would include unobstructed walkways, removal of physical barriers, improved storefronts, and awnings. . Responding to Mr. Rutanls question, Ms. Stewart said research had been done by the Project for Public Space and by the International Downtown Associ at ion. She added that many pedestri an ma 11 s now were bei ng redesigned to make them more suited for retail activity. Responding to Mr. Hansen's question, Ms. Stewart said property lines were at storefronts. Ms. Stewart said the central activity zone would include improved sight lines, which would involve removal of some barriers and structures, possibly including the rest rooms. She said the Downtown Commission and staff still were working on the issues of the rest rooms and the play area, and she added that public input on those issues would be taken at a public hearing. Ms. Stewart said the central activity zone also would include movable chairs and tables, and the delineation lines would consist of lights, trees, benches, and trash receptacles. She said staff had made a recommendation to the commission on lighting fixtures, and the commission was reviewing that budget. She also said when the project came to the council, it would be complete with a budget for approval. She said movable seating would be a part of the project, and an agreement would exist with merchants to have them move the seating on or off the mall. She . MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 28, 1986 Page 6