The parking crunch
The first wave of downtown projects is beginning to swell and is not that far away. The approval of The Alberta and the first phase of the 300 East Main project signifies that. And while we applaud the vision — up (not out) density, a commercial balance — downtown as a functioning central business district is going to be faced with serious challenges ahead.
First will be dealing with the noise, dust and clutter of construction. Second will be the loss of two significant parking areas.
The two projects are significant not just because they are the harbingers of a new downtown, but because they are connected to two key parking areas. Once the first phase of 300 East is completed it will absorb the spaces in what is now the municipal parking lot at the corner of Roberson Street and East Main Street.
The Alberta, once built, will take up a significant portion of the Carr Mill Mall parking lot on Roberson Street and Sweet Bay Place.
Both landowners have a right to develop their lots and the types of projects planned are just the type the town has been trying to steer us toward. But there should be serious thought given to the consequences of losing two key downtown parking areas in a short span. During peak hours and when there are big public events downtown, we have already reached the point where cars cruise the lots and an open spot can spark a free-for-all.
Undoubtedly, the situation will be amplified by what is shaping up to be a lengthy era of downtown construction.
As we said, the new projects are only the first part of the wave. We can safely assume that with each residence and each business added there will be at least one new vehicle. In some cases, at certain hours we’re talking dozens more.
The simple question is “Where are they all going to fit?â€
The answer is far from that easy.
We talk about walkability, but at the same time our town has become a destination. So for many people who frequent downtown, walkability means something you do after you park the car.
This is not to say that people shouldn’t take the bus or bike or carpool into the Central Business District. That, in fact, is going to be a hefty part of the equation for a healthy downtown.
For our neighbors to the east and elsewhere, our downtown is held up as a model. It took a lot of foresight, a bit of luck and bucketfuls of cooperation to get us to where we are.
Let’s hope we apply the same creativity and determination to managing our downtown’s success as we did in managing its rise.