COMMUNITY
Olive Street reopening
pleases shopkeepers
By Craig Howard
Enwaid Contributor
The passage of Measure
20-04, which proposed allow
ing two-way traffic on Olive
Street to pass through tho Eu
gene Mall, has politicians and
mall shopkeepers optimistic
about the economic future of
downtown.
The measure narrowly
passed in the Muy 19 primary,
with .'>2 percent of voters ap
proving the proposal. A total of
17.H3H voters supported the re
opening of the section of Olive
Street between Eighth and 10th
avenues, which has been closed
since 1971. A total of 16,190
Eugene voters stood opposed.
The Eugene city council in
troduced the measure, which
was designed to inject renewed
economic vitality into an eco
nomically depressed down
town The departure of large re
tailers such ns Sears and the
[Ion Marche seemed to signal a
new low point lor downtown
business
Council member Kay Robin
ette said he believes the meas
ure's approval was critical for
the future of downtown.
“This measure symbolizes
the city's commitment to renew
economic activity in the down
town area," he said. "This Is
just a piece, but we're trying to
get more activity and more traf
fic will definitely make a vital
difference
Opponents of the measure,
led by the group Citizens Unit
ed for Responsible Budgeting,
expressed concern about the in
crease in taxes and downtown
traffic, us well us the effect on
downtown residents and senior
citizens
The grass-roots organization
helped to nearly topple the pro
posal, despite spending S2.332
less than supporters of the
plan
Downtown store owners wore
pleased with 20-04 s passage,
believing the opening of Olive
Street will help to undog the
How of retail shoppers
"This is a good thing for
business," said Gloria Codroy,
the owner of McKenr.lo Honey
Farm and Gifts on 100 W,
Broadway. "To keop vitality in
an area you've got to have
movement because without
people, nobody wants to invest
"I don't promote cars or traf
fic," she added. "Hut for the
general health of business, you
nttd'ttGMi Hopefully, the
opening will also discourage
some of the negative groups
from milling around the mall
area."
Ray Moreland, owner of
Rosewater's Deli downtown,
said the re-opening will help to
spark interest in his restaurant
and other businesses
"Our afternoon business was
definitely down after Sears and
the Bon closed," he said
"Hopefully, this will encourage
retail shoppers to come bock
downtown
" The service aspects td the
street will encourage people
not to drive Iasi," Moreland
said "Plus the city will finally
have to tear down those horri
ble I si ih rooms in the middle of
the street."
City officials say the new
road will have a distinctive de
sign in order n> enhance the
aesthetic image of downtown
Sandra Gleason of the liugune
Public Works Department said
the official street design in
cludes mention of "generous
sidewalks," purnlloi parking on
both sides and a narrow inter
section at Olive and Broadway
to help slow traffic.
The now road will also tie
lined by antique streetlights
and contain brick accents in the
pavement us well as a hand of
brick through the intersection
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