In discussions with residents of La Plata County as well as business and property owners on Main Avenue, very few are in favor of what three of our five city councilors are pushing. In fact, the majority of Durango’s electorate are against widening sidewalks and narrowing vehicle driving and delivery lanes and wonder why the city has not addressed the parking congestion problem downtown.
In an effort to give the residents a glimpse of what is being proposed, the city is spending $1.2 million this year for planning and engineering Next Step as well as $236, 800 on “pedlets” (temporary bump-outs/walkways) in front of a few select businesses in the 600, 700, 900 and 1000 blocks of Main.
Why not spend an equal amount, $236,000, on a trial parking solution? For example, the transit center parking lot currently charges $5 per day. That means $236,000 would pay for 100 vehicles to park for 473 days. The city could offer free parking for a year for 100 vehicles, the approximate capacity of the existing lot. Wouldn’t this encourage workers and visitors in the Durango downtown area to begin to use the space? Hence, this could lessen the pressure felt by the adjacent residential areas to the east of downtown.
Whether perceived or not, we do have a parking problem that has been discussed and ignored for over 5 decades. Say no to Next Step!
Bob Griffith
Durango
