12/12/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

the construction would be staged so that only half of the highway would be under construction at one time. He explained that the High Street to Washington Street phase of the widening project would require approximately three months. ~ He acknowledged that the access would be lessened during the construction, but ~ he said that it was a justification for performing the construction only once. In response to a question regarding the traffic projections, Mr. Farah said staff had considered the issue. He said the peak in growth occurred in the late 1970's and there had been a decrease since that time. However, he said that the City was exactly at those levels projected by the T-2000 and the Metropolitan Plans. He said it was necessary to juxtapose the various data when making any determinations about traffic levels. Mr. Obie said he was concerned with the process, asking if the meeting was for information or for debate. Mayor Keller clarified that the meeting was primarily for information sharing. Ms. Mulder asked if any data had been generated comparing the present traffic projections with those projections made when the T-2000 Plan was formulated. Mr. Farah said that such data had not been formulated but it could be done. Mr. Hanks said that traffic counts on 6th and 7th avenues have been continuously taken and he approximated the increase at one to two percent each year. Mr. Bauske said he would approach the question as a resident near the proposed construction who believed that a current need for the widening did not exist, but he believed the information supported the future need for the project. He said a public relations effort was needed to sell the project and staff should develop the data to support that need. He emphasized that the trees along 6th and 7th avenues were a cultural heritage but that the beautification project ~ would mean additional plantings at no additional expense to the City. He said the City must question what the net result of the corridor will be and what impact the project will have on pedestrian access. Mayor Keller agreed that it was important to consider the individual effects of the project but it was necessary for each of the groups present to remember that they are part of the community with accompanying responsibilties. He asked that any concerns or questions be addressed to him. He stressed that the T-2000 Plan was a major portion of all the City plans. He said the City was involved in the Metropolitan Plan because the City expected to move large numbers of people to the west side of Eugene. He said numerous assumptions were made when placing the Metropolitan, T-2000, and Capital Improvements Plans together. He viewed these plans as major commitments, having already been approved by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. !<~~:;, ~JU!~~,~l'~'~."~,.' #v /'.. -t. ,.I'/.;.Y ./ ~'~;/J..yr ~ ..' -- Micheal D. Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Thorn Strunk) 4It TS:clj/CM7a1 MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner Session December 12, 1983 Page 7