01/23/1984 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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- John Boyer, no address given, representing the Associated General Contractors of America, stated that his organization supported the widening and beautification of 6th and 7th Avenues to four-lanes. He said the badly-needed project will fulfill the aesthetic and traffic needs of Eugene. The meeting was recessed at 8:57 and reconvened at 9:12 p.m. Mayor Keller asked that the speakers limit their testimony in order to provide everyone an equal opportunity to speak. He said the council would attempt to adhere to the 30-minute time limit as previously set. Speaking in opposition to the widening project: Shawn Boles, 105 North Adams Street, stated he felt the expansion is based on several false assumptions in regard to resource availability. He said the existing infrastructure should be maintained since the global oil reserves will be exhausted in the next 30 years. Since h~ felt that this fact was not under- stood and that 6th and 7th Avenues will be reconstructed, then the major concern is for the best construction alternative to maintain the quality of life and still provide a safe and efficient east/west corridor. He believed that the three-lane alternative as proposed by the Design Review Committee would be more attractive and at least as safe as the four-lane alternative. He felt that the sacrifice of the trees in order to attract businesses to the area will send out the wrong message and will attract the wrong types of businesses. He said an alternative should be chosen which will create the message that people will enjoy Eugene after they have moved here. e Carol Clark, 931 Van Buren Street, stated that she had spent $10,000 in the downtown area businesses during 1983 and that she will take her money elsewhere if the trees are cut. Ronald Lovinger, 1445 East 21st Avenue, stated that he learned of the plan to widen 6th and 7th avenues four months ago--this plan would remove 137 trees of historical significance to the city and would scar the center of Eugene with two broad swaths of asphalt, inviting a continuous flow of heavy traffic. He says this traffic would further divide the revitalized northern sector from the central mall area. He said ODOT and City staff must respond to the concerns of the citizens so that the project will not detract from the attractiveness of the city. He said the Build/No Build Alternative situation creates opposi- tion and an unhealthy configuration. This dilemma will force citizens to call for a public vote on the issue. He said the project was a classic example of destroying the reason people choose to live in Eugene. He said the City must be careful to preserve the city for future generations. He stressed that the majority of the testimony presented during the past three months has been in opposition to the widening project. He said the advice of the Design Review Committee should be considered, stating that Alternative C offers a solution which will not divide the city. He stressed that the issue cannot be force-fed to the citizens and that they will fight to save the trees, even if it means placing the issue on the ballot. He said the renovation of 6th and 7th avenues is a complex situation which cannot be solved simply. He again urged the council to listen to the advice of the DRC. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 23, 1984 Page 11