THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 7, 1996 TAG: 9608070344
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 74 lines
Parking can be the difference between survival or death for a downtown business.
Some Suffolk business people have argued that there are just not enough places to park downtown. Others have protested when city officials have demolished buildings to make way for what they feel is the wrong type of parking.
The debate has gone on for three decades in this city.
Today, as city officials celebrate the groundbreaking for the $14 million downtown courts complex, parking will again be a focus.
About 20 businessmen and women - led by William E. Beamon - plan to picket during the ribbon cutting, arguing that city officials haven't been supportive of downtown businesses.
Beamon - who's suing the city to keep it from tearing down his shop to make way for parking at the complex - insists the city is interested in condemnation instead of promoting business.
Another faction of merchants has urged city officials to provide accessible parking. The courts complex, they argue, will block access to nearby parking.
City officials say it's time for consensus-building on the parking issue.
But the answers aren't easy. During the nearly two years of planning for the courts complex, merchants and officials squabbled over the different visions for downtown.
Merchants insist that a true downtown is a tightly compact community, not businesses surrounded by a sea of surface parking. The merchants protested the design of the courts complex with its large parking areas. They said it wasn't pedestrian-friendly. They urged city officials to build parking garages instead of lots.
Last month Downtown Suffolk Association Executive Director Bob Chisom submitted a parking survey to city officials. Officials said this week they're still studying the survey and haven't arrived at any solutions. But officials say they're receptive to merchants' suggestions on solving the parking issue.
``We're trying to build consensus,'' said William E. Harrell, assistant city manager for development.
The survey's principle findings show that about 1,400 people visit downtown businesses and government centers daily, and roughly 30 percent of those visitors are disabled or elderly. Merchants rated nearby, on-street parking as a top priority, the survey reported. A 1991 survey on lot availability - the latest statistics available - showed there are about 646 parking spaces in and around downtown.
``We're fighting for the same customer who goes to the malls,'' said Chisom. ``What it basically boils down to is a lack of parking near the major employment centers.''
City officials say the courts complex is the first step toward revitalizing downtown.
``The courthouse clearly is not the panacea,'' said Harrell. ``But it's a major step toward commercial development.''
Harrell said the courts complex will generate increased foot traffic, which will be a win-win situation for downtown businesses. And Harrell said he's not opposed to parking garages.
``Surface parking for the courthouse doesn't preclude you from looking at parking garages,'' said Harrell. ``But you first have to fully document the problem and find out how much parking is needed.''
Mayor Thomas G. Underwood, though, said parking garages are too expensive.
``Council has been looking for a three-level garage for a long time, and it's never been justified,'' said Underwood. ``A three-story parking lot is a rather expensive thing.''
Another question is whether surrounding businesses will share the 350 parking spaces that are planned for the courts complex. Parks Director Dinesh V. Tiwari, whose department is overseeing the project, said Tuesday that no decision has been made on whether those spots will be reserved for court workers and visitors. ILLUSTRATION: File Photo
Officials have not decided whether 350 parking spaces planned for
the new courts complex will be shard with businesses.
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK COURTS COMPLEX PARKING by CNB