08/10/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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i Mr. Lindberg stated that in other cities, one-way streets are used during rush hour and at other times the streets are two-way. He asked what would happen if . this street were left open except during rush hour. Mr. Hanks responded that this could be tried but it does not seem feasible with their low amount of manpower. It would take a physi~al barrier of some sort. Mr. Lindberg stated that Mr. Hanks had indicated that accident data would not help. He asked about the possibility of a head-on collision with the diverter as noted by the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Hanks responded that some people are passing the diverter as though it were another car. Visibility is very good, generally, except for the Parks Department driveway, which is very close to the diverter. Mr. Hamel stated that he has been against diverters ever since he has been on the council. This is a traffic problem, and if everyone worked together they could do something. Everyone is entitled to drive through that area and he feels it is unfair when diverters are put up. Ms. Miller stated that she has concerns about the disruptions in parks caused by cars going through them. With the 29th Avenue and Hilyard Street project, Amazon Park will have a street removed. Another example upcoming will probably be Hendricks Park, which may have additional problems in the future. Heavy, high-speed traffic and neighborhood needs are not compatible. The predominant use of Cheshire is as a short-cut from the Ferry Street Bridge to River Road. She would suggest the diverter be left in place temporarily. If there are not further solutions presented, perhaps the diverter should be maintained until the connector is completed. Staff must determine where the traffic is going. Some of this traffic is going across Beltline or Washington-Jefferson Street Bridge, and some is going across 4th Avenue, but most goes to 5th, 6th, and 7th avenues. . This shifts it from the park into a commercial area. Mr. Obie stated he has difficulty keeping 2,000 people per day out of a park they have paid for. He feels it is positive to be able to drive through a park. Central Park has streets through it with pleasant drives. When he hears inner- city neighborhoods complaining about 3,000 cars per day, that is a small amount in comparison with amounts that are in other areas of this city. He feels it is a shame to deny people the opportunity to enjoy the park by closing the street that goes through it. Ms. Wooten noted agreement with Ms. Miller. Diverters are to try to shift traffic onto arterials which are wider, improved, and maintained for cross-city traffic. She would support maintaining the diverter until there is an acceptable solution to deal with the problem. Mr. Lindberg agreed that the diverter should be retained, at least temporarily. Other parkways in other cities are different and they are designed for different purposes. It is the neighborhood streets that are'the concern. He thinks it is unfortunate that there is a railroad track there. Ms. Schue stated this is not an easy situation. She would like to keep the through traffic on the arterials and out of the neighborhoods. This has been done in other areas, such as on Potter Street. She agrees with Ms. Miller that something better can be done. She would support retention. . MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 10, 1981 Page 9