January 7, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Diagonal parking is coming to two streets in the downtown business district but not on West Main Street.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the aldermen voted to change parking on one side of both West Walnut and West Market Streets from parallel to diagonal parking. The move would not be difficult since both are already one way streets. The idea is to create more parking spaces for downtown shoppers.
Original plans were to change West Main to a one way street for diagonal parking (on one side) from the public square to the flashing light at the intersection of South College Street near First Bank but that proposal been tabled for now.
Mayor Josh Miller raised the issue in November at the request of some business owners but admitted Monday night that the proposal has been controversial.
“I have heard a lot for and a lot against over the past two months,” he said.
Mayor Miller said he believes the city should do what it can to help downtown businesses grow.
“I was approached by some business owners on that (West Main) street about this and when someone brings something to me I think its our obligation to look into these things. I definitely think there is a problem with (enough) parking around the square in general. We have a lot of businesses on West Main Street,” said Mayor Miller.
During the November meeting, the aldermen voted to have the city planning commission take a look at making West Main a one way street and make a recommendation .
“The council asked that we bring this up in the planning commission for December’s meeting and we did. The planning commission deferred to a public hearing before they would give an opinion for or against. Of course before the council would have taken it to a vote, we were going to have a public hearing. I believe in transparency and I believe we need to let the public speak for or against if this is the way the council wishes to proceed,” said Mayor Miller Monday night.
“We have three options we can consider. Option one we can have a public hearing on making West Main a one way street for diagonal parking. Option two Walnut Street and West Market Street are both one way streets. We can change those streets from parallel parking to diagonal parking and leave West Main Street alone. Option three the council can table the whole matter. But if you want to proceed with this we need to schedule a public hearing before any vote is taken on changing West Main,” said Mayor Miller.
Up to twenty additional parking spaces could be created if all three streets, West Main, West Market, and West Walnut were changed to diagonal parking on one side according to Mayor Miller.
Alderman Gayla Hendrix made a motion to change parking on one side of both West Walnut and West Market Streets from parallel to diagonal for now and to take another look at West Main Street later.
“Merchants would really like for us to add additional parking. Our downtown is getting busier which is a good thing. I think a good idea would be your option two for now mayor. Why don’t we change the parking from parallel to diagonal on Walnut and Market?. That will add more parking and we can see how that works. After we have tested that out for a time period we can come back and look at West Main if we think changes need to be made,” said Alderman Hendrix.
“Most of what I have heard is from people who are against this (making West Main a one way street). I think this (changing the parking on West Walnut and West Market) would make the most sense and to table the remaining issue. That is the least drastic alternative,” said Alderman Brandon Cox.
The aldermen voted unanimously to adopt Alderman Hendrix’s motion.