West Dundee officials believe they have found a temporary fix for a downtown parking shortage caused by ongoing construction.
A handful of downtown structures, including the former Ace Hardware building at 118 S. First St., are being knocked down as part of the village’s plan to redevelop properties at First and Main streets. The temporary construction fencing surrounding those sites blocks several public parking spaces that nearby business owners consider essential to accommodate patrons.
“They feel that, with the work being done, they’re happy it’s happening,” Village President Chris Nelson said. “But in the short-term, they need some extra spaces.”
To address the temporary parking reduction, the village board decided Monday to clean off the pavement that was once the Ace Hardware parking lot and move the construction fencing to free up those spots — a process Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said will cost nothing other than public works staff time.
Contractors are finalizing demolition work, he said, and the additional parking is expected to be available within the next week.
The village plans to repave the entire Ace property and create an extension of the adjacent parking lot later this year as a more permanent solution. But failing to provide an adequate amount of parking in the meantime could have adverse effects on downtown businesses and foot traffic, Nelson said.
“I don’t think it’s unusual to pivot a little bit during these situations because it does have an impact,” he said.
In recent weeks, Nelson said, he has received several comments from business owners about the reduced parking situation. Kimberly Bell Brown of SAMA Yoga and Wellness, for example, said she now has to constantly communicate with her clients before classes about alternative parking options. Scott Lambert, owner of Underground Retrocade, asked Nelson for a cheap solution to relieve the pressure.
“Parking has been difficult during the demo of the old Ace building,” he said, “and only the eye to the future has made it worthwhile.”
Though officials also considered spending thousands of dollars to fill the Ace site with asphalt grindings or other materials, Trustee Thomas Price said he believes the village is moving forward with the easiest and most cost-effective solution.
“I definitely see value in recovering those spaces we lost,” he said.
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