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Resident urges railroad underpasses for safety and backs downtown mixed‑use proposal
Summary
At the open public comment, Dennis Givens urged the council to accelerate the downtown mile project and lobby for funding for railroad underpasses (he cited recent deaths), and voiced support for a proposed seven‑story mixed‑use building near City Hall to add grocery retail, housing and childcare downtown.
During the work session's public comment period, Dennis Givens (S7) urged the council to accelerate the downtown mile project and to lobby state and federal partners for funding to build underpasses at railroad crossings.
"It will be safer to cross the tracks," Givens said, adding that "last year, we had 12 deaths and a few this year" when discussing track safety (S7). He argued that underpasses would improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and smooth traffic flow.
Givens also expressed support for a proposed seven‑story building adjacent to City Hall that would combine a grocery store at street level with parking, housing, a hotel component, and rooftop amenities including solar panels and a greenhouse. He said such a development could add housing supply, enhance food security downtown and provide childcare for city employees and others.
The council did not take action on these public requests during the work session; the comments were recorded as part of the open call to the public.
