When the Town Council finally agreed last year that the time was right to improve downtown parking by building a new garage, the response in the business community was near euphoria.
Parking commissioners were walking on clouds.
Now the council has set April 19 as its target date for a final decision on what will be built and where.
It's probably safe to say that enough time has elapsed and enough discussions have taken place that the initial euphoria over the town's willingness to do something--anything --to improve parking has worn off.
The Parking Commission is recommending that the town develop not one, but two garages, one on each of the identified sites; that's apparently the direction the Town Chamber of Commerce is moving, as well.
A single parking garage will not make a significant dent in the 900 spaces the Parking Commission says are needed.
Meanwhile, councilmembers, as they must, are fretting over numbers.
Mayor Jan Hutchins has taken the position that it's best to build one garage, given the $3.5 million available and worry about raising money for a second garage later. A bird in the hand ... .
His point is well taken. There is value is setting achievable goals, as there is value in at least getting started on easing the parking problem.
If there's to be a second garage, it will be up to the business community to maintain enthusiasm for a two-stage solution.
More importantly, if the town is going to commit to the second garage, it will need to know that the community is behind the effort. Unless downtown businesses are willing to form an assessment district and/or support paid parking, it's unlikely the town will seriously pursue a second garage.
As the organization that speaks for the business community, the Town Chamber will play a key role in mustering business support for a two-stage solution.
For now, the Chamber, to its credit, is stepping up efforts to find solutions for employee parking. Freeing up parking spaces used by employees is a small but important step the business community can take.
The Chamber is also pushing the council to approve as the location for the first garage the site that will allow the most spaces within budget constraints and construction in the quickest time possible.
That's a reasonable request. Not only are merchants at their wit's end about parking, so are residents and visitors alike.
The town has put the parking garage on the fast track, but there are plenty of opportunities for public participation between now and April 19. A frank discussion of issues, concerns and creative solutions should be the order of the day.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
