The future of downtown parking in Bowling Green was on everyone’s mind at last night’s meeting of the Oversight Committee for the update of the City’s Master Plan.
While members of the committee agreed that parking was limited, not all thought it was a bad thing.
Glenn Grisdale, certified planner at Reveille – an economic development company, said that the parking problems could be due to good business.
“The job was to make sure downtown was functioning in terms of parking. Some of these problems are just because it is a thriving downtown,” Grisdale said.
Mark Leck, planning commission, said that it might be good for downtown businesses if customers have to park a short distance from their destination. That way, they would walk by other stores on the way, and potentially stop in.
But other members said that changes should be made in order for there to be more parking. Earlene Kilpatrick, director of business advocate Main Street Bowling Green, suggested that private and city parking work together to help alleviate parking problems.
Many people don’t know that in some city lots parking is free after 5 p.m., Kilpatrick said. Having some people park in the city-owned lots after 5 p.m. could free up metered and public parking spots.
To help inform people of city parking possibilities, the committee is considering putting up informative signs along the road to direct drivers to the alternative parking.
Since there doesn’t seem to be enough space to construct a new parking lot downtown, the committee discussed building vertically. A parking garage would save the most space, but could be too costly to consider.
“I think we’re a long way off from talking about parking garages, although I hope we’re getting closer,” said Floyd Craft, owner of Ben Franklin, Ace Hardware and For Keeps.
Until the committee can decide on something to help the parking situation, they’re considering a shuttle system on weekends when there are events downtown.
In addition to parking, the committee also discussed the possibility for outdoor dining along Main Street, and an advertising standard which would allow only three visible advertisements per business.
