Page 2-The Michigan Daoly - Friday, July 8, 1988 Ban bars boarders from downtown boulevards BY ANNA SENKEVITCH Downtown skateboarders may receive five-dollar tickets and have their boards impounded by the Ann Arbor police after July 21. The Ann Arbor City Council voted Tuesday, 6-5, for a law to make skateboarding on sidewalks illegal along sections of Liberty, State, Main, and South University Streets, as well as in Liberty Park Plaza. "The response that I've received... has been ex- tremely supportive," said Republican Mayor Gerald Jernigan. "I think it will curb the use of skateboards on the heavily traveled streets." Coupled with an earlier-passed law, which prohibits skateboarding on most Ann Arbor streets, the new rule will banish the activity from some of the most pedes- trian-populated downtown roads. Several downtown store owners said wayfaring skateboarders cause danger to their customers, and damage to property by riding up on curbs, park benches, and other cement surfaces. "My personal feeling is that it's always unfortunate when you have to legislate behavior," said Russ Collins, president of State Street Area Merchants As- sociation and Michigan Theater manager. But Collins added, "It's not a personal freedom is- sue. It's a public safety issue." "Those benches (in Liberty Plaza Park) are ruined from skateboarders jumping on them," said Night Town restaurant owner Steve Bellock. "I've heard quotes of $20,000 to replace the benches. I think the city was saying, 'There's just no way we can foot the bill."' Ritz Camera Manager Debbie Rice, who has wit- nessed patrons getting brushed and knocked down by skateboarders speeding by her store, is glad the rule was adopted. But Rice said she thinks bicycles, which currently are permitted to ride on sidewalks, should be included in the new restrictions. "They're both going the same speed," she said. See Skaters, Page 5 ? ? Still Looking for a Place to Live This Fall ? ? ???????????????? ??????????????? Look No Further Albert Terrace 1700 Geddes .jog urea Local dogs Bo and Jake rest after catching frisbees in a contest at Pioneer High School. No implosion for Old Main, says 'U' engineer BY SUSAN LONG WORTH nearby buildings. Old Main Hospital may not blow Although the building was origi- up at the end of this summer. nally scheduled for implosion in Instead, it may be demolished. August, Neault said there is "no par- Because of the building's height ticular intention of imploding" it. 14 stories - conventional The Cincinnati-based O'Rourke demolition would be the best pro- Company, the project's contractor, cess, said John Neault, a University may choose a more conventional senior civil engineer. If Old Main method of demolition - the wreck- implodes, he said, it could harm See Hospital, Page 5 Vol. XCVII--No. 8S The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967 X) is published Fridays dur- ing the spring and summer terms. Subscription rates: May through August - $6 in Ann Arbor; $8 outside the city. Furnished, air-conditioned two bedroom bi-level apartments for as little as $750 per month. Located a short walk from campus. Across from the beautiful Arboretum. Don't miss out. C11IlToday!!! Burnham Associates 543 Church Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (313) 761-1523 *** We also lease other properties *** EDITOR IN CHIEF...........Steve Knopper MANAGING EDITOR.......Jim PoniewozIk NEW STUDENT EDITION EDITOR...............................Lisa Pollak NEWS STAFF: Donna Idipaolo, Kristine LaLonde, Anna Senkevitc, Patrick Staigr. Ryan Tutak, veronica Woolridge. OPINION PAGE EDITORS...uM.m mly Ahmed Joshua Ray Levin OPINION STAFF: Phillis Engelbert, Amy Harmon, Mami Rachmiel, Sandra Steingraber, Andres Zi.mr- ARTS EDITOR.....................Lisa Magnin* ARTS STAFF: Brian Jarvinen, Mike Rubin, Todd Shanker, Lauren Shapiro. SPORTS EDITOR................Adam Schrager PHOTO EDITOR......................Ellen Levy GRAPHICS CONSULTANT: Fred Zinn. BUSINESS MANAGER................Jein Kim FINANCE MANAGER..............Jodi Friend ASSISTANT FINANCETMANAGER.............Hyun Joo Oh FINANCE STAFF: Brian Birenbach, Kelly Costello, Jill Katz, Zainal Man. SALES MANAGER................Karen Brown DISPLAY SALES STAFF: Paul Berkey, Jenmifer Chappell, Susi D'ambra, Beverly Day, Jeff Halperin, Sarah Poole, Lary Purdy. Lauren Yessayan. The Michigan Daily is a member of The Associated Press and sub- scribes to Pacific News Service and the Los Angeles Times Syndi- cate.