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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />said one goal of the project was to allow merchandising along storefronts. <br />Ms. Stewart said obstructions were not caused by merchandising, but <br />usually occurred near rest rooms and barricades. <br /> <br />Mr. Hansen asked about the width of the merchandising zone and about City <br />liability for merchandising on public property. Staff said the space was <br />about 20 feet wide, with 10 feet available for merchandising and 10 feet <br />for pedestrians. Jan Bohman of the Development Department said current <br />mall regulations allowed use of space adjacent to buildings for <br />merchandising. She said use of the central space would require a lease. <br />She also said the City Attorney had reviewed the proposal. <br /> <br />Ms. Stewart said the project would be funded by tax allocation money, with <br />business participation also proposed and being discussed by the Downtown <br />Commission. <br /> <br />Downtown Commission President Michael Schwartz described the need for <br />modernizing the downtown mall, which had operated for 17 years. He said <br />lighting would constitute about 50 percent of the cost, with pruning of <br />trees and opening up the space also to enhance security and the shopping <br />atmosphere. Mr. Schwartz said a parallel project being pursued was a <br />centra 1 i zed retail management plan, in whi ch marketing and expanded <br />operating hours would become more unified for the downtown area. Mr. <br />Farkas said participation in the centralized retail management program <br />would not be required, but should be beneficial to the entire area. <br /> <br />Mr. Rutan asked whether the projects had been discussed with all property <br />owners in the area. Ms. Stewart said all merchants on Broadway had been <br />contacted about the centralized retail management program, and she added <br />that property owners who were out-of-town now were being contacted about <br />possible reinvestment. Mr. Gleason said at least one property owner had <br />stated that further investment would only be made if the City also made <br />some investment. <br /> <br />Mr. Hansen asked whether stipulations or requirements existed for <br />merchandising on City property. Mr. Schwartz said he thought a good <br />foundation existed to protect public property and interests. He also said <br />he did not think the purchase of awnings could be required. Mr. Hansen <br />said he thought the use of public space could be traded for the <br />requirement that merchants install common awnings. <br /> <br />Mr. Holmer said he was concerned about costs of enforcing the public <br />walkways and about giving away the use of public space. Ms. Stewart said <br />merchant zones now were not enforced. She a 1 so sa i d the management <br />program being considered could include fees for use of space. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller asked how the success of the program would be measured. Mr. <br />Schwartz said gross sales receipts could be compared in six months or in <br />one year. He said another gauge might be the more comfortable atmosphere <br />with better lighting and security. Mr. Farkas said indicators also could <br />include the amount of site development, and he added that updates could be <br />provided. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br /> <br />May 28, 1986 <br /> <br />Page 7 <br />