02/25/1991 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e tions being presented this evening are the result of the work of the Downtown Design Committee to enhance Eugene's existing downtown. This hearing is a continuation of a work session the council held on this issue on February 27. Ms. Bohman introduced Tom Beckwith, representing the Beckwith Consulting Group. Mr. Beckwith provided a brief overview of the process which was fol- lowed during the design process and highlighted the Downtown Design Commit- tee's recommendations for downtown redesign. Out of the Downtown Design Committee discussions came the following recommendations: 1) change Willamette Street and Broadway Street to convertible streets; 2) redevelop the plaza at the southeast corner of Broadway and Willamette streets to in- clude an indoor/outdoor activity structure; 3) convert Olive into an access street; and 4) convert the existing parking lot and pocket park between the Equitable Building and 1st Interstate Bank to a park area linking the plaza with the Park Blocks. Mr. Beckwith provided several visual examples of the recommendations. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing. Steve Hamaker, 1603 East 22nd Street, identified himself as a long-time Eu- gene resident and offered his wholehearted support for the conceptual rede- sign. He said that the proposed design is an imaginative way to deal with the problems downtown and encouraged the council to move away from the mall concept. e M.V. Lazar, PO Box 10241, testifying as an owner of two retail stores down- town, said that he strongly supports the recommendation to open streets down- town to vehicular traffic. Otto Poticia, 1820 Kona Street, testified in support of holding an election on downtown redesign. He acknowledged the problems which exist downtown and stated the importance of communicating to Eugene citizens the need for change downtown. Mike Schwartz, 725 Olive Street, concurred with Mr. Poticia about the prob- lems which exist downtown and spoke in support of the Downtown Design Commit- tee's recommendations for downtown. He encouraged the council to send the message to outsiders that Eugene's downtown is Ilopen for business." Jack Billings, 2251, Monroe Street, acknowledged that the design recommenda- tions do not guarantee a successful solution, but encouraged the council to give this proposal a try. Don Amacher, 2067 Musket Street, testified about the financial problems which exist downtown and encouraged the council to accept the conceptual design plan as a way to acknowledge the need to do something different downtown. Bob Zagorin, 4525 Shadow Wood Drive, spoke in favor of the proposal, noting that it favorably encourages compact urban growth. He said that he is dis- couraged by the debate which has gone on around the downtown redesign issue e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 25, 1991 Page 2