06/08/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e there would be to reopening it. The council will need to base their decision upon the considerations dealing with aesthetic standards versus hindrance of free-flow of traffic in the downtown area. They also need to consider pedes- trian safety and the economic advantages or disadvantages that are involved. e Speaking against: George Boehenke, 2040 Willamette, submitted petitions containing approximately 300 signatures. He began his testimony by recalling when the community passed the ballot measure to start the Performing Arts Center. A group of people got together and put their money on the line. They thought that Willamette Street would remain completely open. They wanted it left open to generate downtown business with a new hotel and auditorium. The majority of major retailers downtown want service organizations downtown but most have moved out because traffic has been cut off. Most people coming in to Eugene from 1-5 cross the Ferry Street Bridge and go down 6th. That is the major connector to downtown. He had gone to the Eugene Downtown Association, Chamber of Commerce, and the City Manager and asked that the sign directing people to the downtown area be changed to direct people to use 8th Avenue temporarily. No one would do that because they wanted the Hilton to locate here. Traffic linkage is needed for the downtown area. Many peop 1 e go down 6th Avenue and on out and take the Washington/Jefferson Bridge to Valley River Center. The survey Les Anderson took which alluded to a small amount of traffic was done between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., not between 7 and 10 a.m. when people are there in the downtown area for other business such as going to the post office. The post office antici- pates 5,000 post office box holders by 1985 or 1990, which would be a lot of people to shove out of the downtown area, who would be potential shoppers. Surveys taken in Fresno and other cities have shown that business does come back to the downtown area once streets have been reopened. Ada Lee, owner of Asia Garden, could tell the council of the hardship this closure has placed on her business, as could the owners of Original Joe's. He feels that temporary barricades could be used during performances such as those that are used in Portland. There is a need for the movement of traffic. Keith Rodman, 2004 East 26th Avenue, stated that State statutes allow the council to initiate street vacations and this is what was done in this case. State statutes define affected areas as those geographic areas closest to the street being proposed for closure. This is the first opportunity there has been for property owners from the "affected area" to testify. All the private property owners on Willamette Street from 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue on both sides have been contacted. Unanimously, they signed a petition to keep Willamette Street open. He has al so tal ked to tenants and lessees of the II affected area" and most of them feel it is vital to their economic welfare that the street be open. They feel an important north-south traffic artery is severed with this closure. With the closure, traffic movement is not convenient as it takes eight to ten blocks, rather than two and one-half to three blocks, to go from the post office to the downtown core area which is wasteful of fuel. He has questions concerning the legal implications of this proposed street vacation. As he understands it, by vacating this public street, one-half of the street would be owned by the Hilton and they can do with it as they please. He does not know if the City has utilities running under the street, but if they do, the City will no longer have that easement if the vacation occurs. ~ MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 1981 Page 4