06/13/1983 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Leonard Tronrud, 861 Arcadia Drive, supported the Roosevelt Boulevard project, which he said would increase the value of his property to keep it in line with e property taxes and would cut down on existing dust problems. Prosper J. Barbion, 2122 Roosevelt Boulevard, supported the Roosevelt Boulevard proJect, since he felt the street was badly in need of repairs. Steve Robinson, 4001 Potter Street--#53, said that he was a member of the Community Development Committee. He noted that the committee had met for two and one-half hours on June 9 to hear testimony and deliberate on the Jobs Bill appl ication. Mr. Robinson agreed that the Roosevelt Boulevard project was an attractive idea, especially with the possibility of a connection with the Chambers Connector, but he asked how that neighborhood qualified as low-income. He agreed that there are many unemployed or underemployed people who live in the area, but he questioned whether they were the ones who would benefit from the project, since few are property owners. He suggested the council consider a project that would use Jobs Bill funds to hire people to work in area parks or schools. He said that the $600,000 proposed for the Roosevelt project could be used to create 30 to 40 jobs, which, with local spending of earnings, would generate a cash flow equivalent to 60 to 80 jobs. He also felt the political implications of a decision to fund the Roosevelt project would be poor. Jerry Kramer, 2140 Roosevelt Boulevard #5, supported the Roosevelt Boulevard project due to the existing condition of the street, which he felt was hazardous, and which has caused a number of accidents. Susan Sowards, 1843 Moss Street, said she was chairperson of the Joint Social e Services Committee. She said that while the committee had not met to discuss the Jobs Bill proposal, she felt the group would support use of funds for emergency housing through some type of request for proposal process. She urged that funds be used for social services before capital projects. She supported using funds for housing rehabilitation. She urged that more than $70,000 be allocated to shelter housing support. Salvator J. Polito, 2040 Roosevelt Boulevard, said that the State Highway Division had purchased the houses on the south side of Roosevelt Boulevard 13 years ago with the intent ot putting a right-ot-way through the area. He noted this project had been abandoned and that the present street condition was ten feet of gravel on each side of 24 feet of pavement. He said that this was a hazardous situation and noted that a young cycl i st had been ki" ed on the road 1 ast year. He said a bicycle path was needed. He al so supported the improve- ments because they would solve the dust problem. Marven D. Mikkelsen, 2056 Roosevelt Boulevard, said that he and his wife had llved at that address for 47 years. He favored paving of the street for bicycle and pedestrian safety. He said that the Public Works Department had stated it would not improve the street until all needed improvements could be made to bring the street up to City standards. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 13, 1983 Page 4