02/22/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e Ms. Wooten asked what occurred at the last council meeting at which new expansion boundaries were discussed for the Urban Renewal District. Mr. Hibschman said the Downtown Commission recommended that it and the Planning Commission process any change to the original recommendation in a manner similar to the original recommendations. He said the Downtown Commission and Planning Commission hope to forward a recommendation April 11. Ms. Wooten asked if either commission has received any information from the State regarding a new State building. Mr. Hibschman said no information has been received, although staff is continuing to discuss the feasibility of a new State building with State officials. Mr. Holmer asked if the plans for redesign of the mall imply that opening the mall does not include redesign of the plaza. Mr. Hibschman said the intention is to redesign the plaza whether or not the street is opened to traffic. Ms. Wooten asked if consideration has been given to an enlarged plaza that would incorporate the Equitable Building and connection to the Park blocks. Mr. Hibschman said a study by Don Miles recommended that such a project be explored. He said to date any enlargement has not been considered. e Mr. Rutan asked if the Downtown Commission and Planning Commission have revisited the Willamette Street issue since the council last discussed the matter. Mr. Hibschman said the two commissions have not and are not planning to do so in the future. Ed Whitelaw, a consultant with ECO Northwest, reviewed the firm's findings on the relationship between automobile access and economic activity in downtown Eugene. He said there have been no studies that provide Eugene with the effects of reopening or keeping the mall closed to vehicular traffic. Mr. Whitelaw said in Eugene, like other cities, access and interaction facilitate economic activity. In Eugene, access refers primarily to automobile access. Since the current design restricts access, it impedes economic activity. Reopening the street to automobiles will increase access and visibility and lead to economic growth. However, he said the fundamental question is how much more economic activity will be generated by reopening the mall. He said it is his opinion that economic activity will increase a significant amount if the mall is reopened to traffic. e Other than Boulder, Colorado, Ms. Wooten asked if there are any other cities that are comparable to Eugene. Mr. Whitelaw said there are other cities that have strictly pedestrian malls. However, he said there are none that have reopened or closed their mall recently enough to provide an accurate comparison. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 22, 1988 Page 2