Politics & Government

Figures Shared on Possible Hudson Street Garage

Council considers parking structure

As complaints from local business owners on village parking issues abound, council learned new information about a potential garage.

Building a one-story elevated parking facility on Hudson Street would cost an estimated $1.75 million and a two-story structure would cost $4.85 million, according to Village Manager Kenneth Gabbert at the Jan. 6 Village Council meeting.

"I think we were all surprised how much more the additional story costs," Gabbert said.

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Although only in preliminary discussions, the council appeared eager to fix the parking problem.

Councilman Pat Mancuso said he'd liked a cost breakdown on a new garage, specifically how many spots there are now; how many would be with one deck; the total costs; and the cost per space. Additionally, Mancuso requested similar information for a two-story garage.

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Deputy Mayor Keith Killion asked for a break-even point for the project, and Councilwoman Anne Zusy said she sought the "most bang for the buck."

Pursuing the Hudson project essentially ends any chance for a similar structure on North Walnut Street.

"My feeling is that I'd like to be done with the Walnut Street lot," Councilman Paul Aronsohn said.

In 2006, council approved a $3 million bond ordinance for remediation of the current lot and possibly purchasing additional land and constructing a garage on the adjacent property formerly operated as Town Garage. However, plans never progressed to the extent of purchasing property.

Council holds the option of canceling a bond on the lot, keeping it, or transferring the purpose to another location (possibly Hudson Street), according to Village Clerk Heather Mailander.

Dorothy J. Stikna, the village's chief financial officer, is preparing a resolution to cancel portions of the bond. If enacted by council, $1.6 million of the bond will be canceled.

The other $1.4 million will be used for remediation of the current lot and accounts for studies and other matters already spent, she said today.

"I'm not in favor of a garage on Walnut Street, but let's figure out if the bond can be kept for additional spots on Walnut Street," Mayor David Pfund said.

Gabbert indicated council needs to make a decision on the bond prior to Jan. 22 (ideally Jan. 14 or 15) in order to cancel or authorize the next interest payment. Mailander will coordinate a special public meeting held in the interim to determine the bond's fate.

Earlier in the meeting Paul Vagianos, owner of It's Greek to Me, urged council to hold the bond.

"My customers complain everyday about the parking situation in town," he said. "Ample... parking is a necessity for a quality retail destination."

The village should announce a date for a special work session and public meeting this week.


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