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3.1. It is difficult to relevantly address the City´s concerns about Street Performance and to provide suggestions for the proposed ordinance amendments, when we have little or no information as to what the City is considering; but we will try. 3.2. The question of who has the right to use public streets and for what purpose is an ancient question which is constantly redefined. Business and private interests constantly compete for advantage, often to the disadvantage of the greater public interest. 3.3. There is concern among some Performers that current amendment proposals may be driven by the complaints or special interests of a few. It is difficult to avoid these conclusions, when on a daily basis, the Performers are warmly received by the public, and a vast majority of the businesses offer encouragement - some even give food and discounts at their stores. Several stores even offer incentives for Performers to work near their establishments. 3.4. One way of defining the purpose of street use is that the street is a passage from one location to another. However, in this "new" (also ancient) definition of the street as a pedestrian mall, the street itself becomes the destination, and street activities (entertainment, eating, shopping, socializing) become the focus. Social interaction, the forming of groups/audiences is the point of this community-enhancing definition. A large crowd gathering in the middle of a busy street open to automobile traffic certainly offers the possibility of a safety hazard. In a pedestrian area a crowd around a Performer adds excitement and interest. 3.5. This may stretch current trends in public safety policy developed in the automobile age and based on mall concepts for increased pedestrial flow for increased sales, but it certainly appears appealing to the general public. 3.6. Street Performance is a destination people are looking for, we should accommodate the publicÕs wishes and develop new models for public use. A city could never afford to hire all of the talent working for free on a daily basis in the street venue. Efforts should be made to encourage the improvement of performance quality. Restrictions which may retard the evolution of, or eliminate, quality acts should be avoided. 3.7. Street Performance is an inexpensive
service which the City encourages for the sake of the community.
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