2004-04-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 NAACP representative Chamber of Commerce representative (City resident) QCC representative Four citizens (one from each ward) * Appointments should be made mindful of the Justice Department requirements for diversity on such committees Resource members (non - voting): Ken Stroupe, U. Va. Center for Politics Sheri Iachetta , City Registrar of Voters Legal coun sel The Task Force will report back to Council by September 15 and will hold four public hearings during the three month study period, one in each ward. PRESENTATION : SCHEMATIC DESIGN FOR DOWNTOWN MALL AND SIDE STREETS Mr. O'Connell explained that WR T has been looking at where we go with downtown in the future and how we bring about improvements. He noted that areas other than the mall have been studied. Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, explained that a contract was s igned with WRT in December of 2001 to guide master planning for the transit center, downtown mall, West Main Street corridor and mall sidestreets. He said meetings have been held with vendors and mall property owners. He said WRT will be presenting schem atic plans for the mall and sidestreets. He said the designs will next be taken to the BAR. He said schematic drawings for West Main Street will be presented to Council in the summer. Mr. Ignacio Bunster of WRT gave a slide presentation that included t he nd following: handicapped access to the mall; 2 Street crossing; shifting fire lane; upgrade nd of brick surface with pavers; lighting upgrade; tree replacement; vending carts; 2 Street, rd th 3 Street and 4 Streets; and newspaper racks and mall furniture. Ms. Richards said she is pleased that the consultants have respected Halprin's original mall design. She said the mall sidestreet extensions are very exciting and are already happening in some places. Ms. Richards asked about maintaining access to par king places. Mr. Tolbert said that parking is a tough issue. He said one recommendation is to limit hours for major unloading. He said they tried to honor and leave existing handicapped spaces. Mr. Bunster said that delivery trucks can get through on the pedestrian surfaces proposed for the sidestreets. He said parking on a number of the northern sidestreets remain as they are now. Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Mr. Tolbert said that no work has th been done regarding 5 Street to Ma rket that would connect with the Court Square project. Ms. Richards said that while she enjoys the planters aesthetically, she feels they are a landscaper's nightmare and not the easiest design. She asked if any thought had been given to changing them. Mr. Bunster said liners could be put in the planters, but that would diminish the growing medium.