By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Drivers in search of downtown parking may have noticed the pickings are slimmer these days.
As construction continues on the new City Building parking lot area for a couple months, some business patrons may find themselves circling the block in search of parking spaces, and some downtown residents may have to park further from their homes.
But when the work is complete, the combined parking lot will have ample spots for both the City Building and the Wood County District Public Library – plus free up other parking in downtown public lots.
The shared lot will have 130 parking spaces – 82 on the city’s side of the lot and 48 on the library’s side – though people can park on either side of the lot for either destination. Twelve spots on the city’s side will be used for the city’s fleet, and a portion will be used for staff.
Before the new city building project, the western most row of City Lot 4 was used for city employees. Once construction is done, those employees will park at the City Building, freeing up approximately 15 spots in Lot 4 for public use.
“Everybody’s going to benefit,” Bowling Green Public Services Director Joe Fawcett said. The shared lot is likely to be busier with city government business during weekdays, and used more by library patrons in the evenings and on weekends, he explained. Both will have entrances off North Church Street.
But meanwhile, the city is asking people to be patient.
After the new City Building at 305 N. Main St. was opened to the public on July 18, the next step was demolition of the old city building. After the building came down, work on the parking lot began.
Beginning July 31, city staff was instructed to park in public Lot 4, located behind the block with Call of the Canyon and Pisanello’s restaurants. Signs were posted stating the spots are reserved weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“I can certainly understand the concerns in Lot 4,” Fawcett said. “The city has worked with downtown business owners to identify ways to minimize the impact to that parking lot and those who frequently use it. The public parking lots within the downtown are there for the public to shop, dine and visit the downtown. The city has made significant efforts to ensure it is convenient for people to do that.”
The Police Division is enforcing the temporary parking restrictions.
“We continue to try to work with people if there are problems,” Fawcett said.
Residents who live above downtown businesses pay to park in long-term spaces.
“With respect to residents, I also believe the city has done a pretty good job of helping to fill a gap between private property owners and their tenants. There are currently 57 downtown resident parking permit holders who have the flexibility to park in any 10-hour parking space within a public downtown parking lot,” Fawcett said. “This is a bit different from the old system where downtown residents had to buy and park within specific lots.”
Fawcett also said the Police Division is working with downtown residents.
“The police have voided several tickets for people that genuinely seemed unaware of the change or made any effort to appropriately appeal the ticket,” he said.
During the demolition and construction, those visiting the City Building are asked to park in the public parking area located to the north of the new building. Dedicated handicapped parking is available in this parking area as well.
Beginning Aug. 7, parking restrictions extended further into the library’s main parking lot. Use of the library lot is restricted to the southern portion only, with access from Court Street. Library patrons may also use the Carter House parking lot.
Throughout the demolition, pedestrians will have access to the City Building using the sidewalk along the western side of the library. Both entrances to the library will remain open during the demolition.
Construction of the shared parking area is scheduled to begin around Sept. 11. Included in this phase of work is the excavation of the area needed for the 74,000-gallon stormwater detention basin and the northern portion of the shared parking area.
By mid-October, the parking lot construction area will expand to encompass the southern portion of the library parking area. At that point, library patrons should park in the Carter House parking lot until the project is complete. The project is expected to be done by late October.
