Dear Editor,

I visualize great community assets in redeveloping the east wing street and the adjacent area of 7th Street downtown into a pleasant atmosphere for pedestrians: an atmosphere that is safe and clean and better helps to link both parts of our Downtown: the 6th Street area and the Grand Avenue areas.

Some business owners have stated that they were not informed of the Council and DDA plans, yet all citizens are invited to public meetings such as the CDOT forum on Feb. 6, to publicly noticed DDA Board meetings especially the ones on March 5, April 2 and May 7, and to publicly noticed meetings of Council April 3 and May 15.

There has been good newspaper coverage of the CDOT and council meetings. The merchants near the east wing street had a special invitation to attend the DDA Board meeting March 5, and the three opposed were heard at that time.

There will be traffic confusion at first with the closure, but we all have adapted to that through the years and the secret weapon will be good signage. We’ll have it.

The issue here is not the closure of the east wing street. It is the overall general beautification, better access to 6th Street, and safety and beauty in an area which is now extremely offensive to visitors and citizens alike. Change happens, and this change will be positive for our Downtown and ultimately for all of us.

Jean Martensen

City Councilor serving the DDA