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Session 1679, Minutes September 30, 1996 Page 13 increased. Also, the initial vote for MetroLink in University City was overwhelming and that should be taken into consideration. Mr. Chris Varyares, 7218 Westmoreland, spoke in opposition to the Millbrook spur. He said if Clayton wants light rail, it should go down Wydown. He travels frequently to Washington, D.C. and said those living near Underground stations like them; those near surface stations do not like them. He suggested trying to find out if crime has increased near stations both here and in other cities. Ms. Lisa Van Areburg, 7114 Washington, former co-chair of the University City Historic Preservation Commission, said historic neighborhoods in other cities have co-existed very successfully with light rail. She also suggested that passing the resolution submitted by the Historic Neighborhoods group was premature, as it was still not known what the possibilities are, for instance, if it can be done below grade and. still preserve the neighborhoods. A MetroLink line can help University City if for no other reason than to recognize that the vital Loop area and Wash University are magnets for cars. She said she would not want to see the Forest Park Parkway widened to eight lanes from its present four to accommodate more traffic, adding that has divided the neighborhoods more than anything else. She asked Council to exercise some vision and wait to hear what the engineers have to say. She thought that most of the Loop merchants support the Millbrook route. Mr. Joe Jacobson, 7051 Waterman, supported the Millbrook spur. As a former resident of Washington, D.C., he said both surface and subterranean stations were fine, and it was very convenient to be able to get places without having to own a car. His impression was that the closer to a station, the higher the property values. He said an underground station would be superior to one on the surface but either would be alright because MetroLink is positive for the neighborhood. Mr. Dan Simpson, 7140 Pershing, did not support extension of the Millbrook spur. He did not want a light rail system in his backyard whether underground or above ground. He also felt that property values directly adjacent to the line would suffer. He did not believe Millbrook would ever expand to eight lanes since there has not been a dramatic traffic increase for the 14 years he has lived there. Dr. Richard Sutter, 7215 Greenway, supported the Millbrook spur, suggesting the opponents should put aside their self interest and do what's best for the City. He said those who are really interested in Uni- versity City's development should join the Historical Society and work for the City as a whole, thinking in terms of the City's best welfare. He said cities that don't provide improved transportation go down hill. He resented the derogatory references to the University, adding that it pulls its own weight in the community. Mr. Charles Marentette, 7163 Pershing, said the Millbrook-Forest Park Parkway route has been a vital transportation corridor for over a century, as were many other streetcar lines in various parts of the area. He said University City had many lines, and most of the city was built after the lines were laid. He noted traffic has been increasing over the years, and ira solution such as MetroLink is not used, the alternative is more or larger highways, more pollution, and more noise. The spur will help the University since