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16 Ms. Maureen Deane, 305D 2nd Street, N.W., representing the Downtown Athletic Store, her family's business on the mall since 1946, stated that the many vacant buildings are very disturbing on the mall and she favored opening up 2nd Street West to vehicular traffic, which she felt could be done safely. Ms. Deane added that she felt allowing vehicular crossing would also help with the traffic confusion downtown. Mr. Harry Marshall, President of The Young Men's Shop on the downtown mall, spoke in favor of allowing vehicular traffic. Mi-. Marshall stated that retail traffic on the mall is slowly declining and someone with a bold vision for downtown is needed to help the mall succeed in the future. Mr. Ray Caddell, 28 Westwood Road, Greene County, stated that he thought the proposed developer of the multi-plex theater is a viable investor and urged Council to support business where it is needed. Mr. Rick Moran, 345 Spring Lane, stated that he has seen successful pedestrian mall in other communities that allow vehicular crossings. Mr. Moran stated that the idea of change is not necessarily bad and thought Council should look to ensuring the long-term stability of the mall. Mr. Henry Martin, 253 E. Market Street, opposed allowing vehicular crossing of the mall, adding that if the crossing is approved, what would prevent approval of other crossings. A resident of 311 E. Market Street opposed the vehicular crossing, adding that he understands that the City's Traffic Engineer opposes the proposed. Ms. Sharon Yackso, 1324 Oxford Place and a downtown merchant, opposed the vehicular crossing and stated that she thought the side streets needed to look more inviting to attract people to the mall. Ms. Yackso stated that she saw two issues with the proposed crossing: is Council considering the matter in order to provide a private driveway to the proposed multi-plex theater, or are they trying to increase the number of people on the mall. Mr. Neal Gropen, 1020 Locust Avenue, stated that he supported the vehicular crossing which he thought could be done safety by keeping the width minimal and the speed very tow, or by cobblestoning the surface to slow down vehicles. Mr. Gropen stated that he often encounters tourists who have trouble locating the mall and he felt allowing the cross traffic would address this need. Mr. Robbie Knoll, 748 Lexington Avenue, a manager with the commercial part of Management Services, Inc., stated that he favored redevelopment of the downtown area, but thought that Council should make sure that the proposed development will occur before going through the process of approving the vehicle crossing. Ms. Maureen Yolcum, 1100 River Court, expressed concern about public safety if the vehicular crossing is approved. Mr. Brett Wilson, 702 Nelson Drive, questioned whether statistics are available for accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians, adding that he thought they would be very low, noting that many pedestrians cross the busy Corner area. Mr. Wilson stated that he understood there would be a visual barrier which would alert pedestrians to the crossing area. Mr. Wilson stated that he was concerned about the future of businesses downtown if the crossing is not allowed. Mr. Wilson added that he favored the proposed skating rink as well and thought both the movie theater and skating rink would attract University students to the downtown area. Mr. Marshall Pryor of the Young Men's Shop, and a downtown merchant for 30 years, stated that the downtown mall is for commerce, not a city park. Mr. Pryor stated that he felt the downtown mall needs a shot in the arm and felt the proposals for development as welt as the vehicular crossing would make the mall better.