Merchants Seeking More Angle Parking

Some merchants along East Main Street would like to see the city extend angled parking four more blocks, from Ann to Fir streets, as a means of slowing drivers and decreasing traffic accidents.

Angled parking would add 60 spaces on both sides of Main Street and narrow it from four lanes to two.

But some residents on nearby side streets say the changes would divert cars onto their roads, which are too narrow for heavy traffic.

On Monday, following a request from the Downtown Community Council, the City Council will consider studying the problem.

Tom Mericle, city traffic engineer, said that if the council requests a study, officials will also look into the cost of wider sidewalks and period lighting, which might also draw more pedestrians to the area.

Most business owners between Ann and Fir streets are more concerned with traffic than parking, lights or sidewalks.

Carla Bonney, owner of Titus Paul Gallery, said cars routinely race through at 60 to 70 mph when the speed limit is 40 mph, making it almost impossible for pedestrians to cross the street.

But Airey Milton, who lives on a nearby side street, doesn’t want the extra noise and traffic diverted into his neighborhood.

“We have a great amount of traffic as it stands right now,” he said. “The only way this would really work is if we put either lights or stop signs where the flow of traffic would not be hindered, except for stops.”

Mericle said city traffic engineers would look into signal lights and more crosswalks as part of the study, as well as how much side streets would be affected.

“We would look at the benefit-to-cost ratio,” he said. “Would it be worth it to businesses to spend the money on, or should we spend it on something else?” --GAIL DAVIS