Survey results showing support for a pedestrian mall on State Street clashed with business and property owner opposition at the State Street Design Project Oversight Committee meeting Monday night.
An unscientific survey released Monday stated many downtown residents and businesses are in favor of a pedestrian mall on the 100 block of State Street. 95 respondents said they supported removing all traffic from the block closest to the Capitol, while 67 disapproved. The greatest support for the proposal came from State Street shoppers.
Michael Hess, a State Street resident, said he would not mind a trial period for a traffic-free block.
\I don't think we have anything to lose by trying it on an interim basis, like a month,"" he said. ""I think this really could breathe life into the top block of State Street.""
However, business and property owners at the meeting were generally opposed to the idea.
Property owner Dan Millstead said that of all the owners and commercial tenants on the 100 block, only one business owner was in favor of a pedestrian mall. He said he was concerned with the loss of lunchtime customers who use the bus.
""The main concern is that the loss of the people up in Alliant Energy will leave an enormous deficit in the lunchtime hour,"" he said.
Madison Metro and the Madison Fire Department have also gone on record against the project.
Chris Caputo, who co-owns 107 and 109 State Street with her husband John, said the surveys' results were not accurate.
""One person could have filled this out a hundred times,"" she said. ""What is it? Garbage.""
John Caputo added that he was concerned about the neighborhood influence of Overture Foundation benefactor Jerome Frautschi.
""I think Frautschi is pushing this,"" he said. ""He wants to have his Shangri-La. He wants to have his little world just the way he wants it. If you were going to build a $2 million home, would you want it next to a shack?""
Yet there are others who support the proposal, including Mayor-elect Dave Cieslewicz.
The issue will be reviewed again at the next State Street Design Project Oversight Committee meeting on Thursday, May 22.
