2006-02-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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51 Ms. Anne Spence, 500 Court Square, said she feels it is a shame when people say they cannot go downtown. She said elderly people need better access. She said pedestrians are important to the mall, but they have to get there. Mr. Bob Stroh, 1412 Kenwood Lane, member of the Downtown Business th Association, asked that 4 Street be open for a one year trial because it could be easily thth implemented at little cost. He said opening of either 4 or 5 Street would support the economic vitality of downtown. He said he thinks it could be opened for $5,000 as a temporary measure. He said he supports restrictions during the trial period for crossings for evenings or big events. He said there is an issue of how to determine success as we have no existing benchmarks. He asked that the City work with businesses to come up with benchmarks. Ms. Carol Wells, 1827 Yorktown Drive, owner of Order from Horder for 13 years, said that several east end businesses have been lost. She urged Council to help thth merchants by opening 4 or 5 Street. Mr. Rod Gentry, Union Bank and Trust on 400 E. Main Street, echoed comments made. He said we need to retain businesses and attract new ones. He said he believes access is critical. Ms. Victoria Gardner, owner of a shop in the warehouse district, said she is excited about a crossing that would provide additional access to that district. She thth supported opening 4 or 5 Street. Ms. Morgan Perkins, 314 Eastbrook Drive, owner of Sage Moon Gallery, read a th letter from Terry Shotwell, owner of the Nook Restaurant, supporting opening 4 Street. On behalf of herself, Ms. Perkins said that she understands wanting the mall to be a wonderful place to visit, but said it is too isolated now. nd Mr. Richard Berman, 205-1 2 Street, N.W., said he is opposed to any more thth crossings. He said that the crossing at 6 and 7 Street were at the end of the mall. He said more adequate parking and signage is needed. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said that downtown is a successful pedestrian space. He said compelling data is needed before opening up a street. He said the significant pedestrian traffic on the mall was not considered in the study. He recommended allowing no crossing, but completing the construction and then determining if there is a need. Mr. Bob Hodous, 1309 Lester Drive, said a complaint he hears from clients is about parking. He said it is most difficult to get to the Water Street parking garage. He thnd said a crossing at 5 Street would have the same problems as 2 Street because of the th one way street it adjoins, so he thinks crossing 4 Street makes more sense. He suggested that Council listen to businesses. He noted that the mall was created with a special assessment of businesses. Mr. David Repass, 227 E. Jefferson Street, asked that Council listen to the Planning Commission. He said they recommended that new signage be sped up. He said having the Visitors Center located in the Transit Center will help. He also recommended looking at his parking and circulation plan. Ms. Alia Anderson, representing ACCT, supported the Planning Commission’s recommendation not to open another street. She said the concerns expressed are very valid, but the issue is more of signage and way finding and parking. She said now is not th the appropriate time to open a street. She requested that the illegal crossings at 5 Street be stopped as they threaten the safety of pedestrians. Ms. Marcia Isolde said that crossing the mall is bad idea and better signage and parking is needed.