RM 11-19-76 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COMMISSIONERS' REGULAR MEETING Novembe 19, 1976, Friday Paqe 9 8. Open1 discussion, continued.... Mr. Caesar: "One of the big questions that Sears had was parking - it appeared that the downtown area could not give Sears adequate parking and that is one of the reasons they decided to move elsewhere." Mr. Wiggins pointed out that it was his understanding from people who had talked to Sears officials, what Sears was saying was that they prefer "ground'level" parking, "now obviously downtown we can't provide that quantity of ground level parking because there isn't that much ground and the ground itself has too much value to be used as 'a' space for 'a' car." It was pointed out by Mr. Wiggins that in the original feasibility study and program for downtown we had programmed five parking garages if your recall, which pointed to the fact that parking was a major consideration. It still is. In the orderly development of the balance of the downtown area, parking will have to be a consideration. Mr. Wiggins further stated that people ought to consider that we don't have a cr stal ball that tells us what is going to happen in the future any- more than anyone else does. We have hired experts who were supposed to be the best in this field and it turns out that their crystal ball was cloudy too. It's real easy when it's all over for people to come along and say "hey, you did it wrong ". We have said it to ourselves on occasion but we are going to do the best job we can do - we will try and predict the future as best we can. A part of this thing that should be borne in mind too, the Tribune published just the other day a rather lengthy article by Phil Welber who is the manager of Robertsons' Department Store and "I thought it was a very upbeat, optimistic kind of article ". Phil is doing a good business - this is what we have tried to hold up to other people, we really believe the opportunity is here. We think Sears had a great chance and I am sorry they didn't take it but that was their decision and I think that a part of what people need to understand is that you cannot force people into decisions. Ms. Derbeck asked, "What about the continuation of the Mall now, in the block between Jefferson and Washington - we have been held off on that at the Mayor's request - to see what would happen with Superblock ?" Mr. Wiggins: "I think this has to be part of the overall new look at that property and how it can best be developed to accomodate the change in use that appears to be on the scene. The Mall was held off in antici- pation of Superblock and that confirmation is just a nice piece of history now." J. erbeck: "It means then that you are not going forward with continu- ing the Mall ?" Chair: "I think that as Don says we should wait until we see what we are going to do with that area." Ms. Derbeck: "Because I have been talking with some of the merchants and the are not all happy with the Mall. Some people think they would just as soon have some parking and street traffic ".