Downtown parking is a subject that has never had much analysis, although the perceived lack of sufficient parking comes up often in discussions of development.
Plaintaker made an informal review in 2009 and found most lots to be underutilized and in poor condition. At present, Lot 9 off Central Avenue is in the spotlight, as there is a proposal to erect 86 apartments on that lot and a small nearby parcel, also city-owned. At a special meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall Library. the City Council may vote on conveying the land to the Housing Authority of Plainfield for the development project. This could eliminate 113 parking spaces.
Another proposal, to add three floors of apartments to a Park Avenue bank, also raises parking issues. The site is adjacent to Lot 6, behind Bill's Luncheonette and stores in the block of East Front Street between Park and Watchung avenues. This site has been considered for a parking deck and the new Transit-Oriented Development Downtown zone indicates such a use. It may be complicated by the fact that while most of it is city-owned, there is a 10-foot strip in the middle that was acquired by Paramount Assets when the company bought the Pittis Estate several years ago. There is also the cost of building a five-story parking deck at a time when the city is behind on other capital improvement needs.
Maybe it is time for a comprehensive look at parking lot usage and projected need. When Frank Cretella received approvals for a project including the former Romond's Garage site, no parking was required, even though 20 new residential units were proposed. Cretella cited a traffic study that said at any given time, 350 parking spaces were available in city lots.
In a related issue, the city recently settled with the Union County Improvement Authority over issues involving the office building at Park and Front and its parking deck. Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig said earlier this month a "hold harmless" agreement still had to be signed before the public could use the deck on evenings and weekends. This use might help with parking for events, but not necessarily for downtown dwellers.
Whatever happens with Lot 9 on Tuesday, parking should be on the list of things to address in 2014.
--Bernice
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If the city removes parking, how do they expect to attract shoppers that don't live downtown with walking distance.
ReplyDeleteBy putting apartments with no parking aka "TOD" -- they are not appealing to the middle class tenant - who has at least one car.
Businesses need a place where employees can park and where their customers can park.
I was very HAPPY to see the new cross walks by Kings Daughter's Nursery. Obviously budget restraints keep from doing on street parking stalls, but hopefully that will come with the new Mayor !! A well painted street, lots and informational signs make GREAT impressions on out of towners
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Transit Orientated Development, I was curious about what is going on with the building across the street from the Netherwood train station. A construction wall seems to be going up, but I have not heard any news on what's to come of the property. If you have any clue, please share. : )
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