New Port Richey redevelopment hinges on making space for cars. Paying for it is another matter.
By MELIA BOWIE
Published October 15, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - If the city really wants to redevelop, parking - or the lack of it - is a top priority. So agreed city officials, business leaders and a consultant during Tuesday night's Community Redevelopment Agency meeting.
But where to put additional parking and how to pay for it remained undecided.
In the spring, city staff projected a potential parking shortage of about 500 spaces. Randy Kranjec, with Clearwater-based consultant TBE Group, pegged it at 573 Tuesday and suggested several fixes. Among them: a downtown parking garage/deck that could cost as much as $3-million and add up to 400 parking spaces.
Metered parking spaces, ground floor retail businesses that would make rental payments, impact fees, CRA funds and grants were suggested as possible funding sources.
Kranjec also suggested a short-term parking fix, recommending the city allow for shared parking agreements between businesses - an idea supported by several business owners in the audience.
Immediate relief is crucial, they said, but a long-term fix is also vital to future growth.
"We need to be more than a dot on the map; we need to be a destination," said Sharon McReynolds, a representative with the newly formed New Port Richey Business Owners Association.
Business leaders said the lack of spots has stifled development, pointing to prospective shops that went elsewhere and downtown businesses forced to expand outside the city limits.
Elected officials recently budgeted $180,000 for fiscal year 2003-2004 to address the parking situation and site acquisition.
Following TBE's presentation, CRA members (who also serve as City Council members) said they favored exploring shared parking and some surface lots, but expressed concerns about the implications and funding for a garage.
"Who's going to replace the existing businesses after you close down the area for (garage) construction for 18 months?" asked CRA board member Frank Parker. Board member Ginny Miller also questioned whether there would be a need for up to 400 spaces.
According to the city's five-year work program officials estimate $180,000 is needed to acquire a site in 2003-2004. In future years, they expect to budget $75,000 for design and $2.2-million for construction of a deck/garage.
- Melia Bowie covers the city of New Port Richey. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is bowie@sptimes.com
