07/13/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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George Hermach, 2165 West 29th, said he and his wife support the present downtown mall. He said they do not like the changes to West Broadway because - people like to walk by trees, flowers, and green grass. He does not like imitation antique lamp posts and concrete. He said he has no difficulty parking downtown. He said some merchants seem to want other customers who require front-door access. Those merchants seem willing to lose him. Mr. Hermach said no evidence justifies the proposed changes to the downtown. He said the expenditure of public funds for the changes would violate the intent and purpose of tax increment financing and would be challenged by taxpayers. He urged the council to reject proposed changes or obtain voter approval for them. He said tax increment financing should be discontinued. Future expenditures should go through the budget process and compete with other City needs. He read his testimony and submitted it in writing. Sam Frear, 4734 Brookwood, said he opposes opening Wi1lamette Street to vehicles. He said economic issues can be expressed specifically but many other things, such as beauty, feelings, and values cannot be quantified. He said the downtown mall has more than just economic value. It is a community asset. He said no evidence indicates that business and property values will increase if Willamette is opened to vehicles. Spending $1.5 million on it would be a gamble. Richard Gold, 1486 East 25th, said some people wore clothes they thought were appropriate for the hearing and they were physically blocked from entering the room. He said the City staff called them names. He said the staff should be reprimanded. e Mr. Gold said City funds should not be spent to change the downtown mall. The funds should be spent on the Library or to maintain city streets. He said he just learned that liquor taxes will be used to pay the debt service for the expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport. He read a poem titled "A New Mall." Gary Kirk, #20, 1350 Charnelton, said he walks through the downtown mall every day. He said opening Willamette to vehicles between 8th and 10th is not reasonable because the Hult Center blocks the north end of Willamette. He said City funds would be better spent for police officers to patrol the downtown. He said security ;s the most important problem on the mall and is the reason some people do not go there. Ms. Ehrman adjourned the hearing about 9:25 p.m. and reconvened it at 9:45 p.m. The testimony of Charles Duncan, 2154 McMillan, was read by someone else and submitted in writing. It sa; d he is a member of the Fri ends of Downtown and a former member of the Eugene Renewal Agency. Mr. Duncan said the Friends of the Downtown are not wedded to the status quo for the mall between 8th and 10th but the group opposes opening Willamette to vehicles. He said the opening would be very costly and would disrupt normal activity for months. He said the opening would be financed by tax increment funds and that indicates the urban renewal program is a success. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 13, 1987 Page 14