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116 <br /> Mr. Lynch said Mr. Caravati’s point is good. He said his concern is that the east <br />end of the mall has taken hits because of the construction which we are in the process of <br />fixing. He said he would not be surprised if we see increased sales as a result of this <br />alone <br /> <br />He said he thinks it is fiction that we can contribute increased sales to the street <br />crossing, and should admit that businesses complaining is the reason we are doing it. He <br />said he does not think it is an appropriate thing to be doing now. He said he thinks the <br />number one thing would be improving side streets which he thinks will make a much <br />th <br />bigger difference. He said there is no way to make a crossing at 4 Street an independent <br />variable. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said it is not fair to say if merchants stop complaining it will be <br />considered a success. She said the crossing will not be the end of pedestrian activity. <br />She said the purpose of the study may need to be thought out in a different way. She said <br />she is willing to rethink its purpose and the components of a study. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said that to some degree the study can be pretty simple. He said the <br />origin and destination study interests him the most as that will show if people are using <br />the crossing to park or shop or using it to get somewhere else. He said the issue is <br />whether the crossing is contributing to the economic health of the mall or not. He said <br />nd <br />that he subjectively thinks that the 2 Street crossing was successful. He said that when <br />the crossing at the east end of the mall closed businesses were affected. He said he <br />understands the concern to have open pedestrian space. He said the economic health of <br />the mall is dependent on a much larger community, and we need to make it easier for <br />them. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he thinks that is a good point. He said we need to ask where <br />people are going and see if the parking garages are full. He said opinions will be <br />subjective. He said he does not see the point of measuring sales figures. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he agrees with Dr. Brown’s comments. He said he thinks it <br />would be good to see the study period longer as proposed by Mr. Caravati. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that perhaps we should have the data collection designed before <br />the opening, but Mr. Tolbert said he thinks they have a good handle on traffic counts, <br />origin and destination, and parking garage data. He said the business data is the loosest <br />piece. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said we already have downtown sales tax information. He said he <br />does not think we need to compile anything we are not already getting. <br /> <br />th <br /> Mr. Caravati made a motion to approve the temporary 4 Street crossing as <br />recommended, and Ms. Hamilton seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he personally would not support the crossing if he were not a <br />Councilor. He said he thinks it is a wise and prudent move and a risk well worth taking. <br />He said that if future Councils find it unwise it can be easily rolled back. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he does not think it will necessarily hurt the mall, but he does not <br />think this is the best solution. <br /> <br />st <br /> Mr. Caravati amended his motion to move the reporting date to January 31 after <br />the Christmas season, and Ms. Hamilton agreed to this amendment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he would rather see the date be a year from the opening date of <br />the crossing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling made a substitute motion that due to the seasonal nature of the <br />businesses, that the temporary crossing be a year from the opening, and Ms. Hamilton <br />seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> <br />