10/31/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to exclude Implementa- tion Strategy 4.2 on page 8 of the Downtown Plan draft dealing e with marketing the parking loop and to provide the language as a direction to staff. Roll call vote; the motion carried unani- mously, 8:0. 2. Opening of Wi1lamette Street between 10th and 11th Avenues a. Implementation Strategy 5.1 Mr. Hansen moved to adopt Option 2 regarding Implementation Strategy 5.1 as recommended by the Downtown Commission. Councilor Obie suggested that the issues of reopening Wi11amette Street between 10th and 11th avenues and any further reopening be considered as separate items. Councilor Wooten asked that separate consideration be given that porti on of item d. concerni ng further openi ngs of Wi 11 clmette Street between 8th and 10th avenues and that portion of item e. dealing with a traffic turnout north of 10th Avenue at Wi11amette Street. Mr. Hansen amended his motion to delete the following language from Implementation Strategy 5.1. 1) i n item d.: "and consider further opening of Wi11amette between 8th and 10th avenues." 2) i n item e.: "and provide a turnout for traffic on the north si de of 10th Avenue at Wi 11 amette Street." e Mr. Obie seconded the motion as amended. Councilor Obie stated that the issue had lost some of its clarity over the two years since originally introduced, but he felt that the real issues of the proposed reopening were becoming evident. Addressi ng the ay'guments of the Lane Transit District against the reopening, he said the LTD concerns were serious but the motion allowed for mitigation of any detrimental aspects. He felt that the problem of buses turning south from 10th Avenue onto Wi11amette was manageable and that the concern of the bus patrons with the increased burden of crossing Wi11amette Street to make a transfer was not an overwhelming consideration relative to the council's decision. Responding to the issue of cost to the City for the reopening, he said he would disregard any potential cost to LTD since the City had provided a traffic lane to LTD at no cost. He said the City would attempt to facilitate those items which were in the best public interest, but he stressed that the City did not have any responsibility for enhancing the LTD system beyond any available opportunity. Regarding the concerns of Lane Community College with losing its campus atmosphere, Mr. Obie stressed that the Downtown Center was an urban branch of LCC and that the council must deal with certain urban questions. He urged that a design be developed similar to that on Wi11amette Street between 7th and 8th avenues. He said the overriding factor in the proposed reopening was the provision of easy access to the downtown. He said the reopening would be a test of whether that action could revitalize the downtown. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 31, 1984 Page 4