06/16/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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trees, the restrooms, and the postal station. He said the council should e spend money to feed the hungry and house the homeless. Daniel Jones, 2638 Hawkins Lane, said public money was spent to create the mal' and public money should not be spent to destroy it. He said the mall is beautiful and is a nice place to relax and meet people. He said people do not need to see through the mall because they know where the stores are. He likes the large trees. There being no additional requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Mr. Miller emphasized the need for handicapped accessible restrooms. He suggested the negotiations be expedited. Answering questions from Ms. Schue and Mr. Miller, Ms. Bohman said the cost of removing the restrooms is included in the $462,000 estimate for the proposed changes. She said relocating the restrooms will cost from $75,000 to $125,000 plus land costs. She said the possibility of having restrooms in the Atrium and Centre Court for public use could be discussed with the owners. She said negotiations for relocating the restrooms may be expedited, but the restrooms probably cannot be relocated this year. Ms. Ehrman said she is disappointed that improvement of the alleys is not included in the project. She said the alley to the Atrium should be improved. Ms. Bohman responded that the alleys in the downtown are not considered major entrances. She said some improvements can be made to them, but the e improvements have not been designed. Ms. Bascom said the playground on Broadway is too massive now. She would like to see the designs for the changes. She said the City's urban forester approved of the proposed changes to trees in the project and said the changes will enhance the remaining trees. She said the forester did suggest a change in the specific trees to be removed on Olive Street and she would like staff comment on the suggestion the next time the council considers the issue. She concurred with the testimony that the restrooms should be removed as soon as possible. Mr. Holmer said the councilors received a letter from Ruth Miller, former Neighborhood Liaison for the City. He asked the staff to comment on June 18 about Ms. Miller's suggestion that written commitments about the improvements they will make to their property be solicited from merchants before public funds are spent. He said Ms. Miller also suggested that a fee be charged for the use of the merchant zone for merchandising. Mayor Obie said he also would like staff comment on fees for using the merchant zone for merchandising. He said all the written testimony received by the council will be included in the record. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 6