04/08/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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-- street would be eight feet narrower at that point. Two parking spaces would be eliminated. The Downtown Commission approved a design which did not include the wide sidewalk at 11th on Willamette. Answering questions from Councilor Miller, Mr. Teitzel said the new, larger LTD buses in the first stopping area may not be able to turn onto Willamette Street from 10th Avenue if the wide sidewalk is approved. However, the other buses which will be in the traffic lane will be able to make the turn by using part of the bus stopping lane. The lane will be wider than usual so the buses can turn. LTD has approved the turn radius. Ms. Ehrman asked if the wide sidewalks will still be needed if LTD routes change so that buses no longer park on 10th Avenue. Mr. Teitzel replied that LTD changes have not been finalized. The Public Works staff recommended the sidewalks be wide regardless of where the buses park. A narrow sidewalk would only be 11 feet wide which does not provide enough space for pedestrians to congregate. Answering another question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Teitzel said the wide sidewalk is partly for bus passengers, partly for pedestrian congestion, and partly for an esthetic transfer from a street network to a pedestrian mall. - Replying to questions from Councilor Rutan, Mr. Teitzel said the estimated cost of the whole project is $400,000. The cost could vary 25 to 30 percent. The cost of the different sidewalks was not estimated. A suggested turn-out for the Athletic Club on the north side of 10th Avenue has not been approved and is not included in this project. Replying to questions from Councilor Bascom, Mr. Teitzel said the street and sidewalks between 10th and 11th avenues will look very much like the street and sidewalks between 7th and 8th avenues. There are bulges in the sidewalks at 8th Avenue. At 7th Avenue, there is a bulge on the west side. Responding to questions from Councilor Hansen, Mr. Teitzel said the sidewalks are about the same as in the "good old days." There will be 19 parking spaces on both sides of the street. However, LCC would like a drop-off area which might eliminate one or two spaces. Four more parking spaces could be added if the sidewalks are narrow at both 10th and 11th avenues. Councilor Holmer asked about the rationale used by the Planning Commission in its recommendation. He was told Ms. Anderson would testify later. Answering another question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Teitzel said only schematic designs of the project have been made. The condition of the concrete has not been examined and there have been no discussions with the utility company. Ms. Wooten opened the public hearing. Mike Schwartz, 2390 Lariat Drive, is president of the Downtown Commission and represented the commission. He said the Downtown Plan had received extensive public review and the Planning Commission and Downtown Commission approved the opening of Willamette Street from 10th to 11th avenues in May of 1984. The council approved the opening in October of 1984. The project is to improve '- MINUTES--Eugene City Council Apri 1 8, 1985 Page 2