I read with interest the letter from Robin Bloomgarden (“No More Glitzy Tourist Traps,” Letters 1/12) about increasing the number of floors allowed on 5th and 6th avenues As an incomer (from the United Kingdom 28 years ago) it has always amazed me that the majority of stores in almost all U.S. cities are only one story high. In almost every village, town and city in Europe, this is considered a major waste of space.
If you want an urban community to flourish you need living accommodations above the main shopping arteries. Why are there no apartments above every store on every shopping street? If people live here they will eat and shop here. I’m not talking about high-rise student living towers, I mean real individual and small family homes.
If you believe the center is a dead zone, it is because it was designed that way by modern city planners.
Oh yes, and, for the record, what heritage are you referring to? There may be the odd building older than 50 years, but the rest is far from historic unless you have a thing for the 1960s.
Peter Tildesley
Brownsville
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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