As downtown Johnson City continues to make strides in revitalization, finding parking has become more and more difficult.
On Thursday from 5-7 p.m., the Washington County Economic Development Council will host a downtown parking forum to discuss what needs to be done to make parking more accessible for those who live, work and frequent the downtown area.
City officials will be on hand during the meeting, which will be held on the fourth floor of the King’s Centre.
“I kind of look at this as an opportunity. If downtown was failing, we wouldn’t be talking about this,” Economic Development Council Director of Redevelopment Shannon Castillo said.
Since November, Castillo said she’s been surveying merchants, residents and law enforcement about parking issues.
Nearly everyone agrees it is an issue that needs to be fixed, especially as more and more developments pop up in the downtown area.
“It’s a good problem. The fact of the matter is everyone is benefitting from downtown’s redevelopment and this just happens to be one those growing pains,” Economic Development Council Director of Marketing and Community Relations Jeff Keeling said.
New businesses like The Beckner on Main, 232 E. Main St., have experienced parking woes since opening earlier this year.
“I’ll be honest with you, it’s a good problem that parking is an issue. That means people are coming downtown. It’s a good issue and a bad issue. At nighttime, parking is real bad, but it’s for the clubs. The other issue is retail stores aren’t going to come here because there’s not parking for their clients,” Beckner co-owner Vincent Massarelli said.
Massarelli said he and some other members of the Beckner team will be attending Thursday’s meeting, where they hope some solutions will be discussed.
“We need more apartments down here. We need more retail stores. We need to just figure out what’s going to take place with the parking,” he said.
For more information on the meeting, call the Economic Development Council at 943-0530.
truthful writes:
February 27, 2013
1:40 AM
The City of Johnson is just now figuring this out i`ve known this for years that`s why i don`t go downtown. I love to got to the Farmer Market but i can`t find a parking for 3 blocks .The apts they are building the Renter is going to have park somewhere and walk to their apt`s
justmyopinion2012 writes:
February 27, 2013
9:19 AM
Exactly truthful. A good problem fo downtown JC, but a bad problem for shoppers and residents.
breakout writes:
February 27, 2013
12:57 PM
They've been screaming for downtown revitalization for two decades. Now that it finally seems to be on a promising note, the City better come up with a plan to make some convenient downtown parking. Will NE State allow shared use of it's facility during weekdays and weekends?
lococritic writes:
February 27, 2013
1:24 PM
don't have any good reason to go Downtown, to big of a hassle to get in and getting out. But really, is it a hotbed of criminal activity? Put up cameras and play some muzak to soothe those savages. Takes a stout heart to stand around as the muzak plays.
Monty writes:
February 27, 2013
2:01 PM
Private businesses need to do more to provide parking. Let them pool their resources for this. I have no desire to see taxpayer dollars subsidizing anything else downtown. Our tax dollars purchased the Courthouse building and now we GIVE it away for a dollar a year to NorthEast State. Glad to see renovations and such. No one was forced to build in a floodplain. But new taxes via water runoff fees, etc. are being spent to minimize flooding. And on and on it goes. I DO believe in finding ways for citizens to improve our collective lives. But private interests need to do their share!
jcresident writes:
February 27, 2013
2:46 PM
Northeast had better let us use their parking garage, since we are practically giving them the building. Honestly, a few of the old buildings probably need to come down in order to make way for parking. I know how this sounds to the historical people, but getting rid of a couple strategic buildings to build parking will help the rest of the historic buildings thrive.
I also think that the suggestions of crime downtown is overblown.
NiteRider writes:
February 27, 2013
3:41 PM
It seems like the City is wanting to throw everything they have, and more, into downtown. Flooding. Parking. Street lights. Sidewalks. Where does it all end? When all is said and done, they will have spent more money on downtown than they could ever recoup in taxes in my lifetime. It's as if they just open up the checkbook when someone says "downtown". Enough is enough.
NiteRider writes:
February 27, 2013
3:50 PM
There's plently of parking at the mall and at Wal-Mart. Haha. Just kidding.
drolives writes:
February 27, 2013
4:00 PM
There's plenty of parking at the Maul. I always park at the Sears & Roebuck. Man, I sure wish we still had a Montgomery Ward's.
Monty writes:
February 27, 2013
9:09 PM
Part of City Code requires that certain businesses provide off-street parking. Number of spaces required is linked to the type of business. Should private businesses downtown have to help pay for future parking solutions they will benefit from? Or does the taxpayer have to subsidize this for them?
Monty writes:
February 27, 2013
9:14 PM
Also, when a contractor seeks permits to build apartments the contractor must show plans that include adequate parking for the tenants. Should not those who build apartments downtown be required to provide adequate off street parking for their tenants? We already give some of them TIF help. Must the taxpayers also pay for parking for their tenants?
TBR writes:
February 27, 2013
11:33 PM
At one time there was diagonal parking on Main and Market (as seen in old photos). That would accommodate, what, three times as many cars? The sidewalks would have to be narrowed, I guess (but they're hardly teeming with pedestrians). It just seems like we already have had the solution.
2funkymunkeys writes:
February 28, 2013
9:44 AM
our city leaders screwed up downtown j c back in the 70s an 80s the city will never have enough smarts or money to fix it back so asf ar as parking start a down town shuttle ride
NiteRider writes:
February 28, 2013
10:09 AM
Why should taxpayers keep subsidizing businesses in one area when there is plenty of room for growth in other areas without any subsidies? If I'm a developer, I can build in Area A that has plenty of room for growth, few traffic issues, plenty of parking, and no flooding. OR I can go to Area B (downtown) and HOPE the cities spends a bunch of taxpayer money to make Area B as good as Area A. It makes no sense!
Jagerdawg writes:
February 28, 2013
2:01 PM
Do away with parrell parking and put it back to what it was in the late 60's 45 degree parking and there could be three times as many cars parked than there is now. Stevie Wonder saw that and sent me an email .
provided.