02/20/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e Willamette Street would not be open to full-sized LTD buses, but that Olive Street would be open to bus access; 2) sponsor an art competition to estab- lish an artistic theme rather than placing columns or standards on East Broadway at the Willamette intersection; 3) voiced concern about the opening of East Broadway because of the impact on the design of the public plaza. Ms. Bohman reported that on February 12 the Downtown Commission also voted unanimously for design approval and recommendation to the voters. Concerns were raised about: 1) whether the proposed plaza structure would be the most effective use of the public space and whether it would be able to accommodate large gatherings; 2) designating privately owned property for public use as specified in the park linkage component; and 3) the impact of bus traffic on both Willamette and Olive streets. e Ms. Bohman said that the Downtown Design Committee, Downtown Commission, and Planning Commission have discussed and agreed on the need for project phas- ing. The council has been left to decide the specifics of such a phasing plan. Staff recommends project phasing and, contingent upon council direc- tion, would be able to return with more specific recommendations for a phas- ing plan around the May election. City Attorney Bill Gary discussed the process the council would need to fol- low. The council's goal is to present to the voters the question of whether the design concept should be implemented. He reminded the council that a citizen-initiated charter amendment is scheduled for the March ballot which would require a vote of the public to authorize the introduction of traffic to Willamette Street. The ordinance which the council will consider will repeal and replace the uncodified ordinance creating the pedestrian mall, amend Chapter 4 of the code, adopt the broad guidelines of conceptual design, and, upon approval, authorize design implementation. The ordinance has been crafted to be effective irrespective of the outcome of the charter amendment. Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, Mr. Gary clarified that the intent of the charter amendment is to prevent the City from authorizing traffic on Willamette Street and, in effect, preempting the charter amendment. He added that the ordinance would be faithful to this intent and, at the same time, would be consistent with the council's goal of authorizing the downtown de- sign concept without specifically authorizing traffic on the mall. In response to a question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Johnson said that the committee felt that phased-in implementation of the plaza structure would be logical. In response to an inquiry from Mr. Boles, Mr. Johnson said that the committee attempted to address access issues for the physically impaired by including curb cuts in project design. Noting that traditionally the mall has been actively used by persons in wheelchairs, Mr. Boles stressed the importance of meeting with this population prior to the election to ensure that the pro- posed design meets their access needs. Mr. Boles requested that a scale model of the design be created for public viewing prior to the election. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 5