Several recent Herald articles have caught my attention. One article reported that the city of Durango has decided to postpone a feasibility study for a parking garage (Herald, Nov. 28). The city cited several reasons, including that it would be a money pit and that there is ample open parking at the Transit Center. Most feasibility studies are money sinks. As for the Transit Center, “a lot” is open to interpretation. They also noted that there is a perception that we need a parking garage, though that is not necessarily the case. People living on the adjacent streets might disagree with that assessment.
Another article reported funding gaps the city will face next year for essential services, including transit, infrastructure and housing, even as it projects a 2.5% increase in sales tax will help alleviate them (Herald, Dec. 5). I only took basic economics classes, but if inflation remains at the same rate and the overall economy continues to trend downward, that might be overly optimistic.
A few weekends ago, Sunday’s headline reported that road projects in the area are running behind schedule and over budget (Herald, Dec. 14). Several valid reasons were given, and I do not expect those factors to change anytime soon.
Another, says the airport is asking the city for $185,000 from the lodgers tax as a guarantee to an airline for year-round service from Houston (Herald, Dec. 10). If ticket sales exceed the minimum guarantee, the funds can be used elsewhere. They note that we will be grateful that the funding won’t come from our tax dollars, but from visitors.
Then there is the project that will not die, Downtown’s Next Step. I do not claim to know every business or restaurant owner or manager in town, but I see many of them, and over the last two years, this project has been a major topic of conversation. I have yet to meet anyone who supports this project. Many feel they are not receiving detailed answers to their concerns.
One issue regards deliveries to businesses. Most delivery vehicles have to use the middle lane of Main Avenue to load and unload. Unlike deliveries through alleys, they can complete their tasks without trapping people in parking spots or disrupting traffic flow. Is working from the middle of Main ideal? No, but it is the only real functioning way to do it.
Another concern is snow removal. The city’s snow removal is time-consuming and expensive, but functional. How will the snow be moved on a narrower road?
Some businesses are struggling to keep afloat. Construction will remove nearby parking, and even after completion, there will be a net loss of parking on Main. The big-box stores with ample parking outside downtown will take business away.
Finally, several people have mentioned an arrogance among some of those promoting this, suggesting the project is proceeding despite their concerns and questions. A friend was told that she just didn’t like change because “she was old.”
The articles I noted indicate that Durango is facing budget issues, particularly if the economy continues to decline. We need to focus on maintaining essential services and infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and not giving money to airlines, and not turning downtown Durango into someone’s idea of a perfect small city.
Scott Perez is a former working cowboy, guide and occasional actor. He earned a master’s degree in natural resource management from Cornell University and lives in the Animas River Valley.
