11/06/1989 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

- Nancy Kibbey, 2130 Greenview, identified herself as chair of the Library Board and urged the council to take action to allow a new library to be built downtown within the Urban Renewal District. Martin Bergoffen, 1268 Jackson Street, said he was a bicycle rider who opposes expansion of the Urban Renewal District and construction of parking garages that will promote the use of fossil fuels and deterioration of the biosphere. '. Martha Rice, 2610 Highland Oaks Drive, supported amending the Urban Renewal Plan to allow a library to be constructed at the Broadway and Charnel ton site preferred by the Future of Our Library Committee. Bob Fenstermacher, 3505 Spring Boulevard, identified himself as a downtown small-businessman. He supported the proposed Urban Renewal Plan update and said that tax increment financing will help address the problem of inadequate parking downtown. At this point, Council President Bascom called for a ten-minute recess. The meeting reconvened at 9:18 p.m. Veronica Grabowski, 91662 Coburg Road, said that as owner/operator of a horse carriage business, she has had an opportunity to discuss Eugene's downtown area with many customers. She reported that in general, among her customers, there is support for enhancing the appearance of downtown and she urged approval of projects that will encourage tourists to return and people to e relocate in Eugene. Ms. Grabowski supported continuation of urban renewal and expansion of the district boundaries to include 5th Avenue. She questioned whether opening streets would benefit downtown merchants. Pointing out an increase in litter on the mall, Ms. Grabowski asked the citizens of Eugene to use more care in disposing of their trash. Greg Bryant, 1087 East 19th Avenue, contended that the updated urban renewal plan will not stimulate Eugene's economy but will make the city increasingly dependent on the rest of the world's economy. He advocated discarding the growth model of economics in favor of self reliance in all goods and services locally. He urged that economic plans be organized to encourage interdependence among local businesses. Mike Johnson, 91662 Coburg Road, said that the fountains, parks, trees, mall, and 5th Avenue area are the features of downtown that most impress visitors. He favored expansion of the Urban Renewal District and extension of the plan. Richard Wright, 1043 Mill Street, quoted Benjamin Franklin to support his opposition to extension of the Urban Renewal Plan. He recommended reading Jane Jacobs' The Life and Death of Great American Cities and said that the proposed Urban Renewal District will support the degrading of diversity in the community by encouraging more growth of retail and restaurants. He maintained that housing and manufacturing deserve more attention and financial support. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 6, 1989 Page 8