It’s an issue referred to as the ‘P-word? in downtowns around the state and the country ? parking.
‘It is just a very common perceived, and I stress perceived, problem in downtowns across the nation,? said Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Lois Golden.
As part of a way to combat this ‘perceived problem? and to improve access to downtown businesses, the DDA has proposed six 20-minute parking spots that would allow patrons to find parking when just needing to hop into a business for something quick.
Golden said that these spots come as a result of a lot of input from citizens and patrons that use downtown businesses, as well as some of the business owners.
For example, she believes that for businesses such as Celtic Cove, Ed’s Broadway Gifts and customers getting carryout from Sagebrush, CJ’s Village Cafe and Sandbar and Poppyseed Deli, 20-minute parking could make their trips into downtown easier.
For others whose visits into downtown are longer, such as a trip to the hair salon or having a sit-down meal, Golden said there is parking throughout downtown for these customers to utilize.
Besides the majority of two-hour spots that will still be present on the street, there is various public 23-hour parking located throughout the downtown and the DDA is continually working on creating more.
According to Golden, they have leased parking at 115 N. Broadway, a lot that contains 13 spaces, of which two are handicap. At the next DDA meeting, it will be decided whether to open this parking to the public or have it be for employee use. She said that she recommends it be open for the public.
Golden added that there are also preliminary plans to demolish and expand parking behind 51 N. Broadway.
‘It seems that we will have the addition of quite a number of 23-hour parking spaces for the use of business and citizens downtown,? she said.
According to Golden, the 20-minute spots are logically placed throughout downtown, mainly centered around the main intersection. Four of the spaces are located in positions that when turning right at the light, it can be easily pulled in to.
‘The logic was to choose spaces that would be easy for drives to navigate,? Golden said.
‘This is not written in stone yet,? she added. ‘It would have to go before village council and of course, up until that point, there is more opportunity to hear from the public.?
The stance of Golden and the DDA when it comes to parking, is that the future must also be considered. She cited the example of a bakery, an item that patrons have been hoping will come to downtown, as a business that would be best served with 20-minute parking, as well as many other businesses that are located presently in downtown.
‘It’s not just about catering to a particular business, its about what’s good for all, and especially what is convenient for the customer, because if you don’t have customers then you don’t have a downtown,? Golden said.
She encourages the public to let the DDA know how they feel about the potential for 20-minute parking, saying that they want to give the public an opportunity to speak.
‘Bottom line is, no matter what is approved, it is going to be one of the best downtowns to park,? Golden said, stressing the Lake Orion offers free parking, not a common occurrence in many other downtowns.