Laserfiche WebLink
62 <br /> <br />think it was fair for County residents to have to pay this <br />amount and questioned why people were not charged to play <br />tennis and softball. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gene German, Director of Parks and Recreation, <br />stated that there has always been a 50% differential between <br />city and county residents at the golf course. Mr. German <br />noted that the City offers a special subsidy for senior <br />citizens with limited incomes and while the County had been <br />approached about providing a similar subsidy for county <br />residents, they chose not to do so. <br /> <br /> Mr. Glenn Horton, a county resident, also opposed the <br />golf fees for county residents. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: DOWNTOWN MALL EXTENSION PLANS <br /> <br /> Mr. Ron Higgins, Planner in the Department of Community <br />Development, stated that the Planning Commission and Board of <br />Architectural Review have approved the mall extension <br />concept, with recommendations made about widening the ~ <br />sidewalks and public restrooms. <br /> <br /> Mr~ Paul C.K. Lu, architect for the mall extension, made <br />a brief presentation on the preliminary plans for the <br />extension. <br /> <br /> Ms. Gwen Gilliam-Turner, a member of the Michie Design <br />Team stated that the Design Team had met and presented a list <br />of recommended changes to the extension plans. Ms. Gilliam- <br />Turner added that the Design Team recommended that a model be <br />built of the extension project in order to help people <br />understand the topography. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert O'Neil, Director of the Thomas Jefferson <br />Center, proposed that space be made within the mall extension <br />for a First Amendment Park. Mr. O'Neil explained that cities <br />throughout the country are being approached about <br />establishing such parks with the following conditions: that <br />an appropriate site be chosen which would eventually be <br />renamed a First Amendment Park; that a three member local <br />advisory committee be appointed to help shape and support the <br />program~ and that the city cooperate in raising the private <br />support needed to build the monument and to sustain the <br />ongoing program. Mr. O'Neil stated that the amount needed <br />for such a park in Charlottesville would be $30,000. Mr. <br />O'Neil continued that he envisioned such a park serving as a <br />site for such activities as debates, commemorative forums for <br />historical events, political forums, poetry readings, and <br />recitals, or any other use that would meet the community's <br />needs and interests. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Mr. Lu stated <br />that a place could be made within the extension for a First <br />Amendment Park. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters recommended that Council express whether they <br />would like the idea of a First Amendment Park pursued and, if <br />so, give the appropriate policy guidance and have the Thomas <br />Jefferson Center work with the architects. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter and Mr. Toscano stated that they were <br />enthusiastic about First Amendment Park and Mr. Toscano <br />recommended that the local BAR association and Afro-American <br />community be involved. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sharleen Martenas, President of the North Downtown <br />Residents Association, stated that the NDRA Board supported <br />widening the sidewalks and adding public restrooms which <br />would only be used during public events and which would be <br />attended by sponsoring organizations. Ms. Martenas <br />recommended that a site be designated for future restrooms if <br />the cost to construct them is prohibitive at this time. <br /> <br /> <br />