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M <br />substantially limit the development potential of Block Two. The location of the <br />entrance to the Block One garage on Block Two would also preclude relocation <br />of the culvert out of Block Two and onto the adjacent street at the time Block Two <br />develops. To preserve development opportunities on Block Two, the Watry <br />proposal is not recommended. <br />To avoid the potential of conflicting vehicle /pedestrian movements at the <br />relocated garage entrance on Block Two, Mr. Watry suggests that the sidewalk <br />near the garage entrance be relocated away from the street so that pedestrians <br />will walk around behind the vehicle ramp access to the garage. Although this <br />solution may be appropriate in areas where convenient vehicle movement is the <br />primary design consideration, we believe it is not the appropriate solution in a <br />downtown pedestrian environment and pedestrians are unlikely to walk this extra <br />distance. To preserve the downtown pedestrian environment, this Watry design <br />of the garage entrance is not recommended. <br />Use of Theater Way as the route to the garage entrance <br />In discussions with Michael Freedman regarding the design of Theater Way <br />between the Cinema Project and the Fox Theater, the City Council has agreed <br />that priority should be given to "place making" over functionality. The plan for this <br />street is to create an intimately scaled, pedestrian - comfortable, outdoor dining <br />area, with minimal vehicle traffic. Vehicle traffic on Theater Way is to be one -way <br />toward Broadway with provisions for it to be closed to traffic at certain times of <br />the day or night, if desired. <br />Watry #1 suggests that Theater Way be one -way away from Broadway and that it <br />would be the primary route to the underground parking entrance. This is not <br />recommended, as it would preclude the City from closing it to vehicle traffic when <br />desired and has the potential to degrade the environment of the outdoor dining <br />and pedestrian area. <br />Watry #2 apparently places the garage entrance in the middle of the intersection <br />of Winslow/Theater Way /Middlefield. Under this scenario, Theater Way would be <br />a two -way entrance /exit ramp down into the underground parking. Such a ramp <br />is inconsistent with the preferred design for this outdoor dining and pedestrian <br />area and would also preclude closure of the street to vehicle traffic. In Watry #2 <br />Winslow Street would also serve as an entry ramp to and from the garage. <br />Because of this garage entry location, Watry #2 would require the closure of <br />Middlefield Road between Jefferson and Theater Way, disrupting the downtown <br />street grid system. <br />Mr. Freedman's comments raising concerns about the wisdom of the Watry <br />proposal are enclosed. <br />4 <br />