Downtown employees may be forced to park elsewhere
Downtown Logan commercial owners and employees who are accustomed to parking close to their respective businesses might soon be walking longer distances to their jobs.
At Thursday’s Downtown Alliance meeting, Downtown Manager Bob Marcolese and Dan Lacy of Clancy Parking Authority proposed a change in time-limit parking in the downtown three-hour parking lots.
There are a couple of three-hour parking lots downtown where cars are ticketed if they’re not moved every three hours, causing downtown employees to take time out of their work to play a game of automobile musical chairs.
The proposal targets employees who currently have a choice of parking in eight-hour parking on the S.E. Needham’s Jewelers block, or moving their car every three hours in lots often more than half-empty which are closer to their businesses.
Business owners could be seen shaking their heads at the meeting after the new proposal was announced. The new proposal states, “A vehicle would be allowed to park in a three-hour area for only three hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., whether it has moved or not.”
The new proposal has a lot of employees fuming.
Ryan Jackson, an employee of Al’s Trophies and Frames Inc. in downtown Logan, vented his frustration at the new proposal.
“I think it’s foolish that Logan City wants so many people to come downtown, but it’s the only place in Logan to be ticketed,” Jackson said.
Logan Municipal Councilman Steve Thompson was in attendance at the meeting. Thompson discussed the possibility of building parking terraces downtown, but informed all in attendance that the cost could be staggering.
Thompson said the cost would be in the millions, and they would want businesses to help pay the cost of the terraces.
Milissa Steele, also an employee of Al’s Trophies and Frames, expressed her disagreeance with a downtown parking garage.
“Parking garages aren’t the answer, they’re dirty and grungy,” Steele said.
Steele added that even though Logan isn’t as crime-ridden as other cities, parking garages are known for being unsafe, and women feel uncomfortable being there alone, especially at night.
More eight-hour parking spaces will open once the current Cache County jail, located between 100 and 200 North, is demolished. Questions were raised by local business owner Steve Wheeler of Superior Dry Cleaners as to whether that parking lot will remain a parking lot for long.
“Land is too valuable for that,” Wheeler said.
Until the issue is resolved, employees will have to continue moving cars, or park farther away from their places of employment.
Other important issues pertinent to downtown were also discussed at Thursday’s meeting.
Many businesses were recognized for their anniversaries and contributions they’ve made to Logan, including the 90-year anniversary of The Bluebird Restaurant. Stork Landing, a toddler clothing store located at Center Street and 100 West, was recognized for its one-year anniversary.
Suzie Becker of Wikstrom Economic & Planning Consultants, Inc. presented the results of a survey sent out last year to Logan residents concerning what changes people would like to see implemented in downtown. The report suggested that downtown is thriving in many areas, including restaurants and specialty stores, but is lacking revenue in areas such as entertainment.
The Downtown Alliance holds its meetings semi-annually, which are open to the public.
-scottsj@cc.usu.edu