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promote busi ness, activity, competition for space, and vitality in the downtown. e Mr. Davis said access is imperative for development and access involves both people and vehicles. He said pedestrian amenities are important in the downtown. He said occupancy in the downtown is increasing but the lack of competition keeps rents low and property owners cannot invest in improvements. Consequently, property values have fallen. He said tax increment financing can be used for only certain things. He said the council should present the advantages and disadvantages of the Urban Renewal Plan Update so that people fully understand them. Donald Amacher, 2067 Musket, said he is a commercial and i ndustri a 1 real estate broker who has sold, leased, and managed many buildings downtown. He said he favored the creation of the mall but it was a mistake. The ma 11 is too big. He said Willamette between 10th and 11th was blighted. After the street was opened to vehicles, two buildings were sold and are being refurbished. He said the same can happen between 10th and Broadway. Mr. Amacher said there has been very little money spent on the buildings between 10th and Broadway since 1965 because the rents are so low. He said the present buildings must be replaced with new buildings with retail development on the first floor and office development on other floors. He said limited vehicular access ;s necessary. Mary Bentsen, 950 West 16th, suggested the council call a special election to vote on opening Willamette between 8th and 10th to vehicles. She said the council could then present the plan fully. She said Eugene has a high tax rate e which is partly caused by public ownership of downtown properties. She recommended that tax increment financing and the urban renewal program be ended. Then, downtown projects will compete with other City projects in the budget process. Ms. Bentsen said the council indicated the expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport could be funded from the General Fund but, later, the council said additional funds a re needed and so the sewer rates were increased. She said tax increment funds should go into the General Fund. Ms. Bentsen said she favors opening Wi11amette between 8th and 10th to vehicles and hopes it will make the street busy. She said the city developed around Willamette and she likes parades on Willamette. David Finch, 1975 Chambers, said he has lived in Eugene since 1960. He read his testimony and submitted it in writing. He said the decision to move businesses outside the downtown was an error when the mall was constructed. He said he opposes opening Willamette between 8th and 10th to vehicles because it will not provide better access, it is not popular, poor downtown business is the result of economic conditions and can be improved by better marketing, no evidence has been presented that property values will increase, access from 6th Avenue will not be improved, merchants who want street access can move, and the "Gut" probably will come downtown. He suggested the City build ramps from the public parking structures so that people will not have to use narrow stairs or elevators to reach the street. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 13, 1987 Page 22