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116 <br /> <br /> Ms. Dowd continued that the objectives of the Foundation <br />would be to market, recruit, promote and enhance the DOwntown <br />Mall. Ms. Dowd stated that the action plan would be to have <br />a retail recruitment program,~with a professiOnal hired to <br />carry out the objectives listed above and to appoint a team <br />of City. staff and DCI members to meet and make further <br />recommendations regarding the proPosed reorganization. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe questioned who would provide the leadership for <br />the Foundation and Mr. Jon Bright, DCI President, stated that <br />there would be both Private and public leadership. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters questioned whether the public/private nature <br />of the organization was a new concept and Mr. Hendrix replied <br />that while it was a new concept for Charlottesville,'it was <br />not unique in Virginia. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gary O'Connell, Deputy City Manager, stated that in <br />most cities in Virginia there are direct public contributions <br />towards such organizations. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hank Brown, an architect who had participated in the <br />Charrette, stressed that many of the recommendations <br />regarding downtown can be carried out immediately by City <br />staff. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters noted that many recommendations were <br />already being addressed by the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Paul Collage, owner of a bookstore on Elliewood <br />Avenue, stated that he felt public contributions to the <br />downtown organization would give downtown businesses an <br />unfair advantages over other retail areas in the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sheldon Anderson, a DCI board member, stated that <br />other areas of the City could be included in the <br />organization. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that from an historical perspective <br />the City has stood ready to help all areas of the City if <br />requested to do so. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sue Lewis stated that she felt public contributions <br />would be justified because the welfare of the core of the <br />City is essential to the entire City. <br /> <br /> Mr. Edward Strickler, a downtown resident, questioned <br />where residents would go with their concerns. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck recommended that staff review the executive <br />summary to determine what can be done in both the short and <br />long-term, and, with representatives from DCI, further <br />investigate the funding issue. Mr.~ Buck stated that while <br />the concerns expressed about public funding does create some <br />problems, he believes the downtown area is important to the <br />entire community in that it provides a solid tax base. Mr. <br />Buck stated that special assessments for future capital <br />projects might be possible. Mr. Buck stated that he was <br />generally supportive in concept of the reorganization <br />proposal. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he was impressed and excited <br />about the enthusiasm generated by the Charrette and would <br />hope that the organization wOUld take a proactive stance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe questioned whether contributions to such an <br />organization would be tax deductible, but Ms. Dowd replied <br />that it was not recommended that the organization seek 501 <br />(3)(c) status. <br /> <br /> As expressed by Ms. Waters, Council expressed its basic <br />endorsement of some sort of public/private partnership and <br /> <br /> <br />