07/13/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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John Bauguess, 1576 Wa 1 nut, said Willamette Street should not be opened to vehicles because of Brian Obie and Rob Bennett. He said public hearings are e only charades. He wondered if the bureaucrats are running the downtown and what is fair to the owners of small businesses. He said Willamette between 10th and 11th was opened to vehicles to provide access to the Downtown Athletic Club which was constructed with City loans. He discussed the loan process for the Downtown Athletic Club and a conflict of interest. He said opening Willamette to vehicles from 8th to 10th would benefit Rob Bennett. Mr. Bauguess discussed "good old boys" politics, dreams and illusions, what citizens expect from tax dollars, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, the Eugene Arts Foundation, the Van Duyn Company, and Mayor Obie's statements about "giving a little." He said the public should ask for accountability and should be fully informed about City business. Ed Aster, 859 Willamette, said Willamette Street should not be changed. He said there is no evidence that opening Willamette to vehicles between 8th and 10th will improve the economic viability of the downtown. He said the council should do the will of the people or let the people vote on the issue. He asked people who agreed with him to raise their hands. Many hands were raised. Navarre Davis, 2112 Brookhaven Way, said he has operated a business in the mall for 16 years. He said he supports opening Willamette to vehicles between 8th and 10th and the recommendations of the Planning and Downtown commissions. He said things will continue to improve downtown if the council does nothing but the improvement will be greater if the council increases visibility and beaut ifi cat ion. He said opening Willamette to vehicles with amenities will benefit all of downtown. e Mr. Davis said evidence indicates that "H" shaped malls are not as successful as linear malls and that there is a relationship among traffic access, retail sales, and business investment. He sa i d investment and development wi 11 strengthen the downtown and benefit the community in the long term. He said access is critical. Charlotte Lemon, 1280 Mill, said two lanes of traffic on Willamette Street will cause noise, congestion, and, maybe, accidents. She said the downtown is pleasant now. She said she opposes artesian-like fountains between 10th and Broadway. She said many people like to watch the existing fountains. She said Eugene streets are narrower than Salem streets. Ms. Lemon said the wishes of downtown merchants should be respected. She wondered why the improvement of West Broadway was not stopped at Olive Street. Shermon Smith, 80 East Broadway said he owns the Ugly Duckling. He said many of the proposed changes for Willamette and East Broadway will benefit hi s business. He said he likes the improvements to West Broadway but he opposes opening Willamette Street between 8th and 10th to vehicles. He said most of his customers do not want Willamette Street opened. He said the Planning and Downtown commissions have not listened and have not communicated plans well. If the council doubts that, he said it should ask for a vote. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 13, 1987 Page 12