05/08/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. e . Mr. Green encouraged the commission to explore the possibility of coordinated hours of operation among downtown retailers. Mr. Schwartz said this is difficult because independent businesses are free to choose their own hours of operation. Mr. Bennett said the City is in danger of losing the value of its investment in West Broadway. He said a favorable environment needs to be established to facilitate and encourage private investment in the downtown area. Mr. Bennett suggested that the commission reexamine the major policies for downtown Eugene in order to determine if there is still consensus at the commission level. After the commission examines these policies, the discussion could be moved to a group with broader community representation. He said this kind of process could be used to develop a community vision for downtown. Ms. Ehrman said downtown issues, such as vehicular access, have already been studied extensively. She cautioned against devoting more staff resources to do what has already been done. She said the council may want to revisit the Willamette Street issue, but the City does not need to conduct another major study of vehicular access for the downtown area. Ms. Aspinwall-Lamberts suggested that the commission do some work to summarize in a concise and comprehensible manner the information and policies for downtown that have already been developed. Then it could develop a set of specific recommendations for improving the downtown area--an action plan. Mr. Schwartz said the City needs to make a commitment to an excellent level of security and maintenance in the downtown area. Ms. Schue supported Ms. Aspinwall-Lamberts' proposal. She also stressed that all of the hopes for downtown should not be pinned on the single issue of Willamette Street, because the street reopening may be rejected by the community. Ms. Young said downtown security is an immediate issue that needs to be addressed. She also said too much time is often spent on process, and too little time on action. Other commissioners agreed. Mr. Holmer supported Ms. Aspinwall-Lamberts' suggestion and encouraged the commission to work expeditiously. He hoped that the commission1s set of recommendations could be forwarded to the council before the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Bennett said a proposal currently before the Budget Committee (to integrate the criminal justice system and the social services network) represents a positive step toward a long-range solution to downtown's security problems. He also stressed the importance of increased police presence in the downtown area. Finally, Mr. Bennett said the current level of downtown maintenance is at a bare minimum. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 8, 1989 Page 6