Send to Friend

FromTo


A news item from Twin Cities Streets for People

PiPress: Parking is Sticking Point for Central Corridor

Posted July 17th, 2008 by blindeke
Posted in
RobertAerial8.5x11.jpg
RobertAerial8.5x11.jpg
Overhead view of the proposed Robert Street Station -- image from Met Council

There seems to be a real conflict between planners and business owners along University Avenue about the need for parking along the University Avenue strip. Planners argue that there's plenty of parking, but business owners want parking lots directly next to, or in front of their businesses.

Still, Baenen called the parking lost as a result of the project "really a drop in the bucket" given the 20,000 off-street parking spots on side streets.

"That's really been lost" in the debate, she said. "People aren't looking at that."

But for Ahvo Taipale, owner of Finn Sisu, a cross country ski supply store between Dewey Street and Fairview Avenue on University, parking is everything.

"It is very tough to find enough parking if all the parking on University is gone," he said. "Today's customer is not willing to walk that far."

For his business, Taipale said, most of his customers come from the suburbs, which means they expect to be able to park close by.

Lost in the debate is the real issue -- will Twin Cities' residents (Twin Citizens?) be wiling to walk a little ways to do their shopping, or to get to and from the rail stations?

Building a walkable University Avenue will surely mean a compromise, but will shoppers and business owners be willing to let go of big storefront parking lots?

You can comment on the need for parking at:

The Central Corridor LRT Project Office at 651-602-1645.

Jake Grovum can be reached at 651-228-5480.

Aug. 7, Brian Coyle Center, 420 15th Ave. S., Minneapolis
Aug. 9, Goodwill Easter Seals, 553 N. Fairview Ave., St. Paul

Drupal implementation: Community Design Group, LLC | Hosting and support: Advantage Labs, Inc