07/13/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Harlan Hamaker, 656 Star Touch, said he works in the downtown. He said he was speaking for Bev Steel of Marley's who said it is essential to open Willamette e to vehicles from Bth to 10th. Ms. Steele said her business decreased within six months when East Broadway was closed to traffic. When it was opened to traffic, her business increased. Wilma Downie, 1630 Patterson, said she opposes opening Willamette Street to vehicles between Bth and 10th. She said it is maddening to get used to driving down a street, find it has been closed for a special event, and have to back out or turn around. Betty Niven, 3940 Hilyard, said she is a member of the Friends of Downtown. She said the organization did not orchestrate the reaction to the Planning and Downtown commissions' recommendation. She said 1,700 respondents indicate what people think. She said the belief that automobile traffic increases security is a myth and opening Willamette between Bth and 10th will not increase security. She discussed Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California, and said it has traffic, transients, and panhandl ers. She sa i d purse- snatchi ng is as common at Va 11 ey Ri ver Center as on the downtown mall. Panhandlers and purse-snatchers go where their targets are. Ms. Niven said surveillance is a factor in security. She said a City survey indicates that fewer people on the downtown mall are concerned about security now than a year ago and increased visible patrolling is probably the reason. She said security will increase if business managers instruct employees to II keep an eye on the street. II She read her testimony and submitted it in writing. e Larry Mullarkey, B9660 Hill Road, Springfield, said he owns the Woolworth Building at 930 Willamette Street. He said rents have increased to 70 to BO cents a square foot on Willamette between 10th and 11th and on West Broadway but he recently negotiated a five-year lease for only 20 cents a square foot. He said his taxes are the same as everyone else's. He said he supports opening Willamette to vehicles between Bth and 10th. I t wi 11 increase business act i vity. He said every town needs an open main street. Joella Ewing, 2384 Washington, said downtown Eugene lost its vitality before Valley River Center was built when downtowns allover the country were losing their vitality. She said the construction of the downtown mall has not been paid for yet and it is not good fiscal policy to spend more money on it. She said a department store and an adjacent parking structure, in addition to specialty shops, are needed for a vital downtown. Ms. Ewing said increased high-density housing in the downtown would benefit downtown retailers. She suggested the blood bank be moved away from the mall. She suggested the council consider a lternat i ves to openi ng Wi 11 amette to vehicles. A 11 en Will i ams , 1062 Highway 99 North, said he represented bus riders and working people. He said local buses do not operate late enough for people to attend movies or the Hult Center or shop downtown. He described a man named Zeus. He said people do not go downtown because the stores are closed in the evenings. He said he opposes opening Willamette Street to vehicles. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 13, 19B7 Page 13