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Eli Meyer, 2542 Elysium Avenue, favored the EmX expansion. He perceived only benefits. He said LTD's data indicated that on a per rider basis, the EmX system was cheaper to operate than regular bus service. He said he had seen rapid transit corridors "build up business" and increase property values over the mid- and long -term, and averred there was considerable data "out there" showing those impacts. He rarely drove and took the bus or biked everywhere he went. He wanted to patronize businesses on West 11 th Avenue but did not do so because of traffic and because the road was difficult to cycle. Brook Edwards, 2542 Elysium Avenue, also supported the EmX extension. She did not know if there was concrete evidence supporting the points of those in opposition as it regarded to hurting businesses. She averred that instead, people avoided West 11 Avenue because of the traffic problems that existed there and "a lot of people I talk to" agreed that traffic was a problem and could be helped by EmX. She suggested that congestion on the road could be eased if more frequent bus service was available. She also thought the system was a key to Eugene's long -term sustainability and did not think the system would work well if implemented on a piece -meal basis. Elise Downing, 1461 Mill Street, #2, a University of Oregon student, averred that a high functioning and accessible transit system could change the culture of a city, solve road congestion, and reduce CO2 emissions. She said the project allowed LTD to cut routes and costs while maintaining service to West Eugene. It was a step needed to change the car culture of American cities. Kimberly Gladen, 361 West Broadway, #4, discussed her experiences over the course of the last two weeks traveling through downtown, where she had multiple encounters with drug dealers and panhandlers. She spoke of the difficulty the elderly and vulnerable had in traveling through downtown to reach vital services. She said conditions did not help business, which continued to leave downtown. Ms. Gladen named four businesses that recently left downtown. She asked how the City Council expected downtown to work without the presence of police. Rachel Lytton, 1943 Onyx Street, #3, a University of Oregon student, noted her long -time use of alternative modes of travel. She supported the EmX system and said it made her life as a student easier. She hardly ever traveled to West 11 Avenue because of the sporadic bus service and she wanted to see EmX expanded down the street. However, she was concerned about the potential that wetlands might be affected by construction of the route, as well as concerned about some trees she believed were historically important to Eugene. She called for more information on those topics. Andy Vobora, 1370 Vine Court, Junction City, LTD, provided information to demonstrate that the hybrid buses proposed for use along the West Eugene EmX route were "green." He said to suggest otherwise was to ignore the bus characteristics that created the differences. He compared the EmX vehicle to the district's 60 -foot hybrid electric buses and anticipated fuel efficiency gains of 17 percent and fewer emissions. Operating costs would be reduced as more hybrid buses were added to the fleet. He cited reduced brake wear, increased oil life, and the potential of decreased transmission and engine wear as other benefits. Joseph Siekiel - Zdzienicki, 1025 Taylor Street, suggested the West Eugene Collaborative, when developing its vision, failed to communicate with any business owners or residents to learn their historic perspective about West 11 Avenue or their plans for the future. The collaborative produced a grand vision without any input from the people affected. He said that LTD was doing the same thing. Rather than talking to residents and property owners, LTD developed a solution and did not explain the reason for the solution. Many of the business owners present who were opposed to the West Eugene EmX route MINUTES— Eugene City Council October 25, 2010 Page 3 Regular Meeting