In response to The Clarkston News’ story “Honcho changes outdoor configuration,” which ran in the September 2, 2020, issue, readers commented on the development on the newspaper’s Facebook page.
“After years of complaints about the lack of handicap parking, they finally added two handicap spots on Church Street adjacent to Honcho’s a year or so ago. Then, they decided they wanted seating in the street. There were two spaces they added in front of the Main Street food truck barrier for a short while. Then, the barrier got moved in front of the two new handicap spaces, eliminating them. Purportedly, OCSD said it was not safe to have them there for traffic reasons. In any event, it means the two spaces added to accommodate the handicapped were taken away because street seating apparently takes precedence over parking for the handicapped. Which is another reason why we rarely set foot, chair or car downtown anymore. Their loss, since we used to be good customers.” – Barb Bartos
“It seems disrespectful to the disabled who need PT services at the neighboring business.” – Beverly Galligan Sherman
“No, what’s disrespectful is assuming that the accessible spots are for the PT center. I’m in a wheelchair and I like going out to eat, too. I do see what you’re saying, there needs to be more access everywhere. Because every time I have to leave a place because I cannot park and unload my chair it’s extremely dehumanizing. Believe it or not, we like eating at restaurants, too. It’s a civil right to be able to park in a place where I can load and unload my wheelchair. I may organize a protest or a sit in or something. If it’s really for safety, then cool. Where are the replacement spots?” – Rebekah Bundesen
“How did Honchos get this special treatment? Who do they know?” – Roze Sepulveda
“Still trying to wrap my head around a private business using a public street for operations or people sitting on a filthy street eating.” – Karen Nicholson
“They took away two handicap spots that didn’t exist until they closed the street in the first place. Perhaps the overall lack of handicap parking in convenient locations downtown needs to be addressed by the city overall. This is not Honcho’s fault. On the other hand, why did they not move the food trailer over three feet and place the safety barriers on the other side of the spaces, leaving them available between the spaces and the trailer).” – Tommy Willhite
“First of all, get the physical therapy place to get out of the downtown building and relocate to a larger parking lot (maybe the old KSI on Dixie). They take up way too many parking spots all day long. I used to have therapy there and had to switch facilities due to the parking problem. Many of their patients need those handicap spots and there just aren’t enough, even with/without streets being closed.” – Susan Iverson Risko
“I was a patient and an employee. The employees cannot park in the parking lot – it is only for patients. I have never had an issue parking and I have been a patient there a long time and never have had an issue. I love HQPT and it is sad that you want to get a business out of downtown. They are amazing owners and great people.” – Chelsea Paull
“I’d love to know why every time I go down Main Street, no matter the day or the time, I’ve never actually seen anyone sitting out there.” – Trisha Feneley
“I walk from my home in the evenings and always see people. Not many on Mondays, but the weekends are crowded. I’ll pay more attention, but I usually do because I’m trying to stay away and wear my mask when I get close.” – Nancy Rodda
“The city still doesn’t have it together when it comes to ‘handicap’ parking.” – Melissa Dell
“Clarkston doesn’t have it together when it comes to parking in general. We never go to the restaurants on Main Street anymore because you can never find a parking spot. I wonder how many other people stay away for that reason.” – Chrissy Cooper
“Those were never parking spots in the first place. Not sure how useful they were anyway in that configuration.” – John Orminski
“Those barriers look great. Very appealing to the eye.” – Cindy Roy-Peel
“Were those originally handicap spaces prior to closing the street?” – Megan Lynn Reed Koch
“I find it interesting that the ‘city,’ as in the city manager, amends a resolution of the city council without city council approval or action, much like expenses that often exceed the council approved ‘not to exceed’ amounts. No one says anything and the city council goes along silently. With that, and their penchant to not want to know as defined by almost five years in court and defiance of a Michigan Supreme Court ruling, one has to ask what their purpose is and why we bother electing them?” – Cory Johnston