02/22/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Ms. Ehrman said she supports presenting voters with alternatives to simply reopening or leaving the mall closed to vehicles. She said the mall appears to be in a stagnation period and the council needs to consider what the best future environment is. She said she is not convinced that reopening the street will produce enough of a change. Ms. Ehrman said she is worried about the council not taking any action on the issue. She said she is willing to spend resources on a street design. However, she said she is not willing to proceed until more is known about the development. She said this does not place undue burden on private developers because the City is willing to assist developers as they demonstrate a commitment to a project. This also gives the community a vision about what the design concept should be. Ms. Ehrman said she also favors a redesign that incorporates the Broadway improvements on Willamette. She said she supports a public vote because the issue will come to a vote regardless. She said she can see the merits of Ms. Schue1s suggestions to transform rear access. One successful example of this is the Downtown Athletic Club. Ms. Ehrman said she was not originally in favor of the changes to Willamette Street between 10th and 11th. However, she said those changes accomplished the goals of access and visibility they intended to. She said she hopes that the people who oppose reopening the street keep in mind the council1s goal to help the downtown. She added she is not convinced that leaving the street closed to traffic will accomplish that. ~ Mr. Rutan called the council's attention to the first paragraph of the Downtown Plan that states downtown Eugene is the community's business center. He said he helped draft the plan and still supports the view that the downtown area represents the focus of business activities. He said it is time for the council to make a decision on the issue. He reminded councilors that both the Planning Commission and the Downtown Commission have unanimously recommended the street should be reopened. He said the ECO Northwest report also responds to earlier concerns that reopening the street will not have a positive impact on downtown. He added he is in strong support of the council reopening the street. Mayor Obie asked if Mr. Rutan supports referring the issue to Mr. Rutan said he prefers that the council make the decision. should only be put to a vote if the council feels it does not community sentiment on the issue. a vote. He said it know Mr. Holmer said he agrees the council should make a decision. However, he noted the nature of Eugene's citizens and their sense of community involvement. He said it is appropriate for the council to ask the voters for their opinion on an issue as divisive as reopening the mall to traffic. He added voters should have the chance to vote on the two recommendations in addition to any that the council support. e Ms. Schue said previous statements she made about not wanting to refer MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 22, 1988 Page 6