Community Development Director Peter J. Miller discussed off-street parking at a Downtown Merchants meeting hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Monday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – A small group of downtown merchants heard a presentation on Monday by Community Development Director Peter J. Miller on his current plans for off-street parking, which have recently been placed under his purview. Miller said he is looking for feedback from downtown businesses.
Miller reported that two weeks ago, Senator Donald F. Humason and Representative John C. Velis secured $25,000 to advance tourism in Westfield. He said the city wants to use it to help people find parking downtown, by posting circle P parking signs on existing poles and directing them to off-street parking lots, such as the ones off School St. and Thomas St.
Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Director Kate Phelon, who hosted the meeting at the First United Methodist Church, asked whether Miller would be getting input on the signage. Miller said his plan is to have a list of locations for the signage in the next couple of weeks.
Miller said he would “love” to have one free-standing directional sign pointing to the Westfield Athenaeum, Amelia Park, the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail and the Westfield Police Department. He said he will be working with the Department of Public Works and purchasing, but thinks with the $25,000 they could get one free-standing sign and five or six pole signs on existing poles.
“One of the things I’d like to do is de-clutter the signage we already have,” Miller said, such as removing some of the “ugly” metal posts.
Speaking about time limits on parking, Miller said right now on-street parking is one hour, but they are considering going to two-hours. He said all off-street parking is three hours except for the Restaurant lot and the Reader lot, both of which are two hours with no permits allowed.
Miller said with permits, which are $10 per day and $100 per year, downtown employees may stay as long as they need to. He also spoke about the meter on Franklin Street, where residents may buy tickets for longer stays. He said the city doesn’t plan to buy more meters due to the cost.
Miller also said the Parking Enforcement Officer has changed his hours, and now works two full days and one half day, alternating days. He said previously he worked only in the mornings, and people tended to leave their cars beyond their time in the afternoons. He said the parking ordinance applies from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., after which cars be there as long as they want to be there. The city raises $40,000 in parking fees per year which goes into the general fund, Miller said.
Anne Woodson of George’s Jewelers asked Miller how much the city gets in parking passes, to which he replied $24,000.
Regarding the Elm and Church St. gravel lot, Miller said there have been reports of people being blocked in there. The lot is going out to bid for development by the Westfield Redevelopment Authority. Miller said they plan to put in guard rails to prevent people from getting blocked in for the time being.
Miller said they also want to rebuild the rear gravel lot, which previously was planned for a parking garage. He said he is working with the Engineering Dept. to design for 85 spaces, and hopes to ask the Mayor for Free Cash in November for the lot. He said he is also looking to return to an off-street revolving fund for maintenance. He said last year, the city spent $94,000 on plowing the off-street parking lots.
Miller said he is also looking for input from the merchants about snow removal.
