September 29, 2009

Church Street Parking Problem? Comments (10)

October 2009, Town of Vienna Newsletter:

Comment from the Council Table
Parking Around Church Street
By Laurie A. DiRocco
Vienna Town Councilwoman

This past spring, when I was campaigning door-to-door, I heard many citizens' concerns. One of the concerns was inadequate and inefficient parking around Church Street. Parking between Church Street and Maple Avenue from Center Street to Mill Street is segregated, under-utilized, and frustrating for customers. Currently, most of the businesses have individually marked parking spaces for their own customers and no parking for other customers. Many of the parking areas need repaving and restriping. Though a few businesses have adequate dedicated parking, most do not, and the net effect is less foot traffic for everyone. I believe a more area-focused, open, and attractive parking configuration can be a solution.

Recently, Mayor Seeman and I sent out letters to the local property owners in this area proposing a new public parking configuration. This new public parking configuration would improve utilization and provide more parking spaces for all businesses. If the business owners are willing to open up the parking, the Town would repave, restripe, and landscape the parking area. The businesses could also
consolidate trash and recycling materials. Customers would have an easier time accessing and parking at the businesses. Increased foot traffic from public parking would provide many potential new customers. The Church Street area would be more attractive and inviting for all businesses, customers, and residents.

I believe a new public parking configuration around Church Street will benefit businesses by creating a parking destination for customers to walk around and shop, but we need the local property owners to agree. This summer I was fortunate to travel to Kenya with my family and help build a health care facility (along with many other people and workers) in the Masa Mara area. While we were working, the people in charge of the building would talk about harambe. Harambe is a Swahili word which means bringing everyone's talents, ideas, and energy together for the betterment of the whole community. I certainly felt that unity while I was working on the health care facility.

This word comes to mind when I think about improving the parking in and around Church Street. If we, as citizens,business owners, property owners, and government employees and officials, come together and bring our best ideas and energy to the situation, we can improve the area and make it an enjoyable destination for its customers. I know this is not a simple problem, but I believe we, as a group, can come up with solutions to improve the area as a whole. The Church Street area is a great place to bike, walk, shop, eat, and relax. So with an improved parking configuration, this part of Vienna will continue to be a thriving commercial destination.

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