[Vision2020] parking downtown again

[Bill London]

Yes, again, the issue is parking in downtown Moscow and ultimately the viability of downtown retail.

The New St. Andrews College (NSA) PR machine has been working overtime to confuse Moscow residents about the issues involved.  In a recent letter to local businesses (available at http://www.tomandrodna.com/NSA/hieronymus_letter.htm ), NSA claims that they use "fewer parking places than the previous occupant of the building."

That is incorrect and intentionally misleading.

That previous occupant was Verizon (earlier GTE).  Years ago, GTE had hundreds of workers at their three buildings (on Howard Street by the American Legion Cabin, on E Street by Rosauers, and downtown).  About 100 worked downtown in the years before Verizon closed down that site.  

In this same PR letter, NSA claims to presently have 140 students and 17 staff.   They also clearly state that they have plans to expand to 200 students and 25 staff.

Comparing the two, NSA will have twice as many people in their downtown building - and very likely twice as many automobiles seeking parking places - as the former occupant of that space.

Plus, NSA conveniently ignored the fact that GTE/Verizon provided a private parking lot for its employees (on Jackson Street, by the present San Miguel's Tacos).

This parking issue is crucial to the future of Moscow's downtown, and the public will have a last opportunity to comment at the Board of Adjustment hearing, Tuesday, March 28, 7pm, city council chambers.  In addition, written comments may be hand-delivered to the Community Development Department, 221 East 2nd Street, before the hearing for those who can not attend. The hearing focuses on whether or not to grant a Conditional Use Permit to allow NSA to be in that retail zone downtown.  

For the future of Moscow, an enforced condition for that permit should require that NSA provide a parking lot for its staff and students.

That will help solve our downtown parking problem, and at least make NSA's impact and contribution equal to what GTE provided.

 

BL
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