04/08/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROPOSED OPENING OF WILLAMETTE STREET FROM 10TH TO 11TH AVENUES TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND REMOVAL OF THE PEDESTRIAN COVER AT 10TH AND WILLAMETTE: PUBLIC HEARING--URBAN RENEWAL PLAN MODIFICATION, REDESIGNATION OF AREA FOR STREET USE, PROJECT DESIGN APPROVAL April 3, 1985 Page 2 -- On April 2, the Planning Commission received the Downtown Commission's recom- mendation and conducted its own public hearing on the project, the proposed modification of the Urban Renewal Plan, and the redesignation of that portion of the Pedestrian Mall for street use. The Planning Commission was also charged with responsibility for certifying that the project conforms to the general plan for the City as a whole. After hearing testimony from representatives of LTD and LCC, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council modify the Urban Renewal Plan to open the street and remove the pedestrian cover, redesignate that portion of the pedestrian mall for street use, reinsert the widened sidewalk "bulge" in the. design near LCC Downtown Center, and direct staff to continue working with the task force to resolve the conflicts created for LTD with the opening of Willamette Street, returning with a proposal which mitigates these concerns. The Planning Commission also certified that the project conforms to the Metropolitan Plan. The Planning Commission recommended reinserting the widened sidewalk at the northeast corner of 11th Avenue and Willamette Street because it helped to ~. identify this block as a transition zone into the mall area (similar to Willamette Street between 7th and 8th avenues), and because it met the objec- tives of the plan by creating a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and LCC students (Attachment A, Map B).. Several of the Planning Commissioners also expressed concern about proceeding with this project at such a rapid pace, feeling that additional time should be taken to develop more comprehen- sive solutions to the operational difficulties anticipated by LTD. Among the issues reviewed by the task force and discussed by both commissions-- but requiring additional analysis and coordination--are alternative locations for LTD transfer stations in the vicinity of the project; and a drop-off location or facility for the Downtown Athletic Club in the area of 10th and Willamette. City staff will continue to work with LTD staff to explore and assess options for the relocation of transfer stations.currently situated on 10th Avenue east of Willamette Street. Staff will continue to meet and work with the developer of the Athletic Club to attempt to identify a design sol uti on to meet the needs of tha tfaci 1 i ty. While these efforts to address the remaining LTD and Athletic Club issues and to identify feasible solutions will continue in the coming months, action by the council granting design approval, mOdifying the renewal plan, and redesignating that area as a street should occur by mid-April if the project is to be undertaken in the coming construction season (e.g., by the fall of 1985). ~