07/13/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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-- Committee for Will amette Street i ncl ude Les Anderson, Ruth Miller, Betty Niven, Ray Hawk, and others. e Mr. Schwartz said the Planning and Downtown commissions, the Eugene Downtown Association and the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce support opening Willamette to vehicles between 8th and 10th. He read from a Register-Guard article by Derri ck Bell. Dan Jones, 2628 Hawkins, said he wore a notice he believed in when he first tried to enter the room and he was stopped from entering. Mr. Jones said the construction of Valley River Center destroyed some of the Willamette River Greenway and took business away from downtown Eugene. He said continued economic growth is a malaise of western culture. He recommended a book titled "Small is Beautiful.1I He said the unemployment problem in Eugene is not being addressed. Richard Noyes, 2014 Elk Drive, read his testimony and submitted it in writing. He asked people not to react overtly to his testimony because he was ashamed by the react i on of some people to testimony different from theirs. He commended the councilors for their willingness to hear divergent views. Mr. Noyes sa i d Wi 11 amette between 8th and 10th should remain closed to vehicles. He said some beneficial changes that would cost much less than opening Willamette to vehicles could be made. He recommended that security patrols be enhanced, awnings along Willamette Street and Broadway be provided, businesses operate during the evening, and a good mix of specialty stores including hardware and cookware stores be offered. He said a more attractive e central fountain could be provided if the Downtown Commission wants to do somethi ng but the fountain between Broadway and 10th Avenue should be retained. Carole Bruhl, 708 West 4th, said people can find businesses on the mall if they get out of cars. Parking and access are available. She recommended awnings over the sidewalks. She said opening Willamette between 8th and 10th will make the area dirty. She said the access to the First Interstate Bank on Willamette Street does not make the street pleasant because people do not want to sit next to cars. She said the central fountain may not be attractive but it would be prettier if the water was running in it more often. She said lighting in the mall should be improved because at night parts of it are II sca ry . II Brenda Monroe, 2245 Orr Lane, said she takes her children to the mall. She did not like the old play structures on West Broadway but she thinks the new ones are too small. She said her son misses the public rest rooms. Referring to an evening in December, she said lots of people were in the mall and there was lots of music but the stores were not open. She said some changes should be made in the mall; for example, visibility should be increased. She said vehicles should not be permitted on Willamette between 8th and 10th. Ms. Bruhl said she resented the scheduling of this hearing on the only night the Library is open. She said City funds should be spent on the Library. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 13, 1987 Page 17