
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 30, 1993                   TAG: 9306300129
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NMEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

DOWNTOWN PULASKI GROUP WORKS ON PARKING, HOURS

Parking is one of the problems that comes with prosperity in downtown Pulaski. But the evolving Pulaski Downtown Business Association decided Tuesday that there are ways of solving it.

Besides, crowded parking is a better problem to have than an empty downtown. Emptiness was the problem until Pulaski Main Street began successfully recruiting antiques, arts and music stores and restaurants eight months ago to fill vacant buildings.

The association held its second meeting at the soon-to-reopen Renaissance restaurant and formed committees to work on bylaws, finance and downtown promotions.

But even before it adopts bylaws, elects officers and formally becomes an organization, it is already tackling such issues as store hours and parking.

The business people do not want visitors attracted by Pulaski Main Street's advertising to have negative reactions from parking problems or finding stores closed.

"We will never again have the golden opportunity that we have this summer," said Jeanette Stephens of Main Street Galleries. "If we don't grab it and take advantage of it, then we're a bunch of fools, I'm sorry."

Money for billboards and other ads is unlikely to be as plentiful in the future, she said. "I don't think I'm wrong about that."

Nick Glenn, a town councilman whose insurance office is downtown, said the town has a Parking Authority that could provide information on where parking is available downtown. Authority representatives will be invited to a future association meeting.

A lot of the parking space that potential customers could use is occupied by people who work downtown, the group agreed. Maps for store employees were planned showing alternate spaces that would not interfere with customers.

No solution for unified store hours throughout downtown Pulaski was found, other than suggestions that stores be open as long as possible to encourage continuance of business that advertising is starting to bring in. "You can't make money with your doors closed; that's the bottom line," said the Renaissance' Paul Etzel.

"Everyone who wants to see this thing take off has got to do a little extra," Stephens agreed.

by CNB