Post by BrianSullivan on Feb 13, 2010 9:30:47 GMT -5
www.app.com/article/20100212/NEWS/100212060/1285/LOCAL09/Business-leaders-continue-work-on-parking-problems
By Kim Predham • Staff Writer • February 12, 2010
FREEHOLD — In the ongoing quest to resolve downtown Freehold's parking woes, local business leaders are always on the hunt for a solution.
They think they have found one -- at least in the short term -- with a proposed driveway leading from East Main Street into the Hall of Records lot.
"I think it's nothing but a win-win and a positive situation,'' said Richard Gatto, chief executive officer of the Freehold Center Partnership.
The curb cut would open up an entrance on E. Main Street into the lot, which is currently only accessible by driving around to either Lafayette or Sheriff streets. The hope is that westbound drivers will be more inclined to park in the lot, as well as one on the other side of Lafayette Street, rather than the Market Yard lot south of E. Main Street.
The state Department of Transportation must give its blessing before the project can go forward. The county, which owns most of the Hall of Records lot, is handling the request.
If approved, the entrance would only let drivers make right turns into the lot. It would be aligned with an existing aisle that runs in front of the businesses on the east side of the lot, according to an engineering report drafted by McDonough and Rea Associates for the Freehold Center Partnership.
The lot has approximately 130 parking spaces. Half are reserved for the businesses; the other half are for visitors to the Monmouth County Annex, the report states.
But on weekends and weekday evenings, when downtown Freehold is at its busiest, many of the spots could be used by visitors to Freehold's restaurants and shops. Drivers might also be more likely to use a second lot on Lafayette Street,
which currently houses the borough's post office trailer. This lot, the report states, is "significantly underutilized."
Based on McDonough and Rea's observations, the change would mean a gain of about 75 to 100 parking spaces. It would cost an estimated $30,000 to $35,000 to design and construct, according to the report. The county would pay for the driveway, county spokesman William Heine said.
The construction would cause "minimal disturbance" to a small park adjacent to the lot, Gatto said.
Though well-received by some Borough Council members at a recent meeting, one - Councilman Michael DiBenedetto -- expressed reservations, especially questioning whether the project had been adequately publicized to local business owners.
By Kim Predham • Staff Writer • February 12, 2010
FREEHOLD — In the ongoing quest to resolve downtown Freehold's parking woes, local business leaders are always on the hunt for a solution.
They think they have found one -- at least in the short term -- with a proposed driveway leading from East Main Street into the Hall of Records lot.
"I think it's nothing but a win-win and a positive situation,'' said Richard Gatto, chief executive officer of the Freehold Center Partnership.
The curb cut would open up an entrance on E. Main Street into the lot, which is currently only accessible by driving around to either Lafayette or Sheriff streets. The hope is that westbound drivers will be more inclined to park in the lot, as well as one on the other side of Lafayette Street, rather than the Market Yard lot south of E. Main Street.
The state Department of Transportation must give its blessing before the project can go forward. The county, which owns most of the Hall of Records lot, is handling the request.
If approved, the entrance would only let drivers make right turns into the lot. It would be aligned with an existing aisle that runs in front of the businesses on the east side of the lot, according to an engineering report drafted by McDonough and Rea Associates for the Freehold Center Partnership.
The lot has approximately 130 parking spaces. Half are reserved for the businesses; the other half are for visitors to the Monmouth County Annex, the report states.
But on weekends and weekday evenings, when downtown Freehold is at its busiest, many of the spots could be used by visitors to Freehold's restaurants and shops. Drivers might also be more likely to use a second lot on Lafayette Street,
which currently houses the borough's post office trailer. This lot, the report states, is "significantly underutilized."
Based on McDonough and Rea's observations, the change would mean a gain of about 75 to 100 parking spaces. It would cost an estimated $30,000 to $35,000 to design and construct, according to the report. The county would pay for the driveway, county spokesman William Heine said.
The construction would cause "minimal disturbance" to a small park adjacent to the lot, Gatto said.
Though well-received by some Borough Council members at a recent meeting, one - Councilman Michael DiBenedetto -- expressed reservations, especially questioning whether the project had been adequately publicized to local business owners.