Several recent letters to the Independent would have you believe that “parking problems impede downtown prosperity,” and that building a parking garage behind Memorial Hall would go a long way towards solving the problem. I’ve heard these kinds of comments for years now.
The Downtown Waterfront District’s initiative to bring more events to the downtown and waterfront, to revitalize the mix of businesses there, and to make public spaces more vibrant and environmentally friendly is the right priority and long overdue. Don’t let perceived parking issues distract downtown Plymouth from its real problems. People are drawn to attractive venues, great events, restaurants, and businesses, not to parking spaces. Interesting businesses and great restaurants don’t suffer from a lack of parking. People will find their way to them, whether by walking, biking, or taking Ride Circuit from their parking locations. Walk around the downtown and waterfront during the Waterfront Festival and other large events – if thousands of people managed to find their way to the events, it’s safe to say that parking isn’t the problem.
Building a parking garage behind Memorial Hall would make the waterfront less attractive and inviting. The PGDC and Town have already explored the feasibility of building a 400-space public parking garage, a state-of-the-art visitor’s center, a bus transit/bicycle center, and retail space on the lot behind Memorial Hall. It would not measurably increase the supply of parking and would cost over $24 million to build. It’s doubtful the PGDC or the Town of Plymouth could take on the additional debt associated with another parking garage. The PGDC already paid all of the engineering, design, and construction costs of the parking deck behind Town Hall and is currently paying off the entirety of the municipal bond for the over $6 million facility.
For too long, Plymouth’s economic development team has been doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. It’s gratifying to see the downtown business owners finally step up and change this approach. They appear to recognize that the perceived lack of parking is not a deterrent to the economic prosperity of downtown Plymouth; it’s an excuse. Better to spend town monies on the downtown revitalization project, and on adding events and attractions, than on another parking structure.
– David J. Friend