07/13/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- - -- Larry Douglas, 3321 Shelton, said he is Executive Vice President of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. He said projects such as opening Willamette between e 10th and 11th to vehi cl es and the reconstruction of West Broadway have stimulated investors to remodel several buildings. He said more improvements are needed and the Chamber of Commerce supports improvements in the Urban Renewal Plan Update such as permitting vehicles on Willamette between 8th and 10th. He said improved access and sa fety and other improvements wi 11 stimulate more investment in the downtown. Mr. Douglas said the City owns too much property in the downtown and it creates a tax burden on all citizens. The burden wi 11 be relieved by attracting private investment. He said good people hold differing views about the downtown and the perception of one of the issues has changed. The issue is no longer the economic recovery of the central business district. The issue has become a war over Willamette Street and the conflict is disturbing. He recommended the council undertake conflict resolution and consensus building to find a compromise. Nancy Willard, 443 Brookside Drive, said she is active in economic development efforts. She said changes should not be made unless there is an identifiable need, the solution will solve the problem, all factors have been considered, and the factors have been prioritized. She said there are 47 new businesses downtown and the retail and office vacancy rate is down. Therefore, there does not seem to be a problem or a need for a change. Ms. Willard said the central plaza is the cultural center of the community. It is identified as a park in the regional park system but the Joint Parks Committee has not been consul ted about the proposed changes. She said e problems with the Eugene Library and with methamphetamines should be addressed before money is spent on the downtown mall. After those problems are solved, changes to the plaza could be considered because some changes to Willamette Street seem to be justified. For example, the block between Broadway and 10th Avenue could be reconstructed to conform to West Broadway and a business directory could be put up. Discussing the process for considering changes, Ms. Willard said some people think decisions about the community are made by a few people in power. She said she is di sturbed by re 1 i ance on out-of-town experts. They always recommend major changes. She said there also is a disturbing trend toward bureaucratic paternalism in the Eugene Development Department. She said the bureaucrats want to control local businesses. They should facilitate local businesses. Laraway Giustina, 2090 Wood Acres, said he represents both the Laraways and. the Giustinas. He said the Laraways have been retailers and property owners in downtown Eugene for 80 years. The Giustinas also own downtown properties. He said both families feel the downtown mall has not been beneficial to the downtown economy. He said they support the recommendations of the Downtown and Planning commissions. Mr. Giustina said opening Willamette between 10th and 11th and the reconstruction of West Broadway are positive steps toward downtown e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 13, 1987 Page 8