06/13/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Gleason stated that the property is presently under construction and that . some person could conceivably work with property owners to arrange a deal for replacement of the plasma centers. Ms. Smith commented that this issue should be pursued if the options exist. Mr. Lindberg stated that the Vagrancy Task Force has discussed the issue and that the property owners have become interested in the situation due to its visibility. He said that the property owner wishes to improve the property and is presently working to modify the appearance and structure of the building since he does have a fifteen-year lease. Ms. Smith said that the situation should be investigated even if nothing can be done. Mr. Lindberg stated that the managers of the plasma centers are currently circulating petitions stating that the centers provide a critical service for the poor people and that their locations are critical. He said that the managers are mobilizing their resources to resist the City's actions. Mr. Homer said that the Chamber intervened in the Sears problem and that something similar should be done. Mr. Gleason said that the issue should be left with the Downtown Commission. He said that the ability to intervene is presently limited and that the commission feels that similar circumstances might be avoided in the future. Mr. abie stated that the problem might be solved through zoning. Mr. Lindberg stated that the Vagrancy Task Force had reached the same conclusion and added that the Planning Commission will soon be updating the commercial code. He said that the City Council could possibly accelerate the process. Mr. abie stated that the problem should be given to the downtown manager with the time to work out a solution. He added that it might be feasible to change the di recti on of the downtown before provi di n9 more fundi ng through the General Fund. Ms. Stewart stated that the commission agrees with Mr. abie's statement and they are currently looking at their contract relationship with the EDA to e focus attention on the product to be marketed and to increase its marketability. tvls. Smith questioned the role of the BAT in this situation. Mr. Porter said that the BAT is concerned with city-wide issues, but it is recommending some changes for the downtown. He said the Downtown Commission is not satisfied with the status quo and will be making changes such as the pedestrian and circulation patterns in the downtown area. He said that the Downtown Commission is planning to bring some changes before the public and the City Council before Christmas. He said that the commission feels that the present retail area is too large to be sustained. Mr. Hansen said he was concerned with the amount of communication between the commission and the property owners. Mr. Porter stated that the City Council structured the commission to have five members who are owners or business managers. He stated that two of the commission members are also EDA members, so cross-over does exist. Mr. Gleason stated that the commission held a workshop with the property owners and retailers. Ms. Stewart added that downtown property owners were invited to the two workshops, but the commission has not spoken directly to them. Mr. Porter said that people will begin to communicate when changes to the mall are proposed. Mr. Porter said that there are some real tors involved in the commission, but there are others who feel that the City should not become involved in the private sector. He said the commission is hoping that the owners will do the real job once they realize that they can make more money if the property is correctly utilized. Mr. Gleason stated that the property owners wont't speak up until the proposal for changes are made. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 13, 1983 Page 5