PC 10/14/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

along with the sending of newsletters and notices to the merchants. e felt they were all well-informed on the issue. Commissioner Mahem asked staff if people downtown really want r italization. Mr. lserson stated that in general the consensus was that it is time to do mething downtown. However, there are differences of opinion as to how it should be h led, but it appeared to him that revitalization was desired by the majority of the downtown pIe. Mr. Swift added that the merchants want revitalization, but they want it done in a hu . He said it was their consensus that they favored a one-year plan that might be more inco venient, over a two to five year drawn out plan. Commissioner Wright asked Mr. Higdon if they have considered doi g work at night. Mr. Higdon said they have considered it, but there are a good number of residences on Peters Avenue, Railroad Avenue, and other nearby streets which would be ery impacted by the noise at night. Commissioner Wright commented that in these bad economic times t at the City should be able to save some money on contracts. Chairman Hovingh discussed with Mr. Higdon how they will determ ne when they can shut off utilities to the various downtown merchants. Mr. Higdon repli that the contractor may have to do two businesses in a row, skip some, and then do several ore. It will depend on the needs of the individual merchants as to when their utilities will b turned off. He agreed this would drag it out longer than being able to do an entire block at one time. Commissioner Wright said it seems to be the consensus of the publi to take out the section in regard to the mandate of retail-only. Commissioner Mahem said she personally favors having only retail n the first floors; she said merchants have talked for 21 years about doing just that and fel it was time to do it. She felt if a condition or mandate was not put on it, it would never eally happen. Commissioner Wright expressed concern that if retail-only is manda , that the whole concept could backfire. He felt that there has been more retail comi g in all the time in the downtown area and that it would continue to come in, if encouraged Chairman Hovingh felt that it would be difficult for businesses if re 'l-only is mandated. He felt people need more flexibility than that concept would allow. Commissioner McGuirk said he is uncomfortable with the retail-onl concept and would be in favor of letting the market take its course. He felt that the new I ok would attract many more merchants downtown anyway. He would encourage retail, bu was opposed to mandating it. He would like to try the retail-only concept for a y , but would not mandate Planning Commission Minutes October l4, 1992 Page 15