2012-07-09 Regular session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Kraft said he has talked personally with the planners. He also said he has talked to many of the Loop businesses owners. He said the less vocal owners were very understanding and understood there were compromises and did not feel threatened. Mr. Kraft thought everybody understood that this would be a workable situation. He said one owner wanted two streets closed off to make the parking lot larger by using eminent domain, which made no sense to him. Mr. Kraft said it was a concern of the money spent to pave the lot as there were other pressing financial issues in the City. He said whatever his views are; the Plan Commission should be allowed to make its decision without a Council resolution telling them what their decision should be. Mr. Price said the Plan Commission will do its work as he is not talking about them. He stated what he is talking about was the philosophical position he has on parking in the Loop whether they are working on it not, it did not change his position. Mr. Price said he wanted to make sure that one of the best streets in America remained the same. Mr. Price moved “That free parking remains in the Loop and a dialog be set forth to partnership with the Loop Business District for creative alternatives for enhancing the parking lot.” Mr. Crow seconded the motion. CITIZEN COMMENTS Elsie Glickert 6712 Etzel Ms. Glickert provided a historical background of the parking lot. She showed a picture of was the lot previous looked like prior to the Urban Renewal Plan in 1962. Ms. Glickert said there were successful businesses along Enright that were sacrificed through eminent domain to create this parking lot for the Loop businesses to take advantage of in 1980 – 1990. She said when the lot was built; it was built with the understanding that it would be a paid lot with a gate. Ms. Glickert pointed out there was no free parking in the east side of the Loop. She suggested Washington University donate a lot they own on Eastgate and Delmar for east-end businesses parking. Lynn Ricci, 7033 Gannon Ms. Ricci said the parking lots have legal exposure and are a huge cost to the City. She said she wondered, because of the emotional decisions being made by some on the Council, what sort of contributions were made to Councilmembers’ elections. Ms. Ricci said according to the budget, the City has been carrying the Loop Special Business District for years. She suggested they do a study to see if the Loop is the value that they are purporting it to be. Ms. Ricci said there needs to be some king of sharing, and if the Loop wants free parking then the Loop Special Business District, a revenue generator, can contribute to the cost. Tamara Donohoe, 7205 Dorsett Ms. Donohoe said she was surprised that the Loop business owners had not been informed about the parking lot. She said the Mayor stated that erroneous statements were made but she did not give any specifics. Ms. Donohoe said it was mentioned the number of businesses spoken to but no number or which 5