Does anyone know who owns these properties that the town will use for parking?
Article published Jul 12, 2006 MainStreet weighs options to increase town parking
By BEN MERITT Staff Writer bmeritt@thehammontonnews.com
HAMMONTON -- Town officials hope to improve the marketability of the downtown area by increasing the number of parking areas for potential customers for the shops along Bellevue Avenue and surrounding streets.
Earlier this year, Mayor John DiDonato asked MainStreet Hammonton to help identify areas for the new lots. The organization's executive director, Dr. John Woods, has since been busy canvassing the downtown area, which officials have said is short of needed parking areas.
"We've met just to discuss what kind of goals we are trying to achieve. We're also looking into who owns what properties and see which ones can be put together," Mayor DiDonato said. "We'll come up with a master plan and target an area."
Woods says the effort is another way of increasing revitalization work in the downtown.
"MainStreet Hammonton fully supports the initiative to improve downtown parking," Woods said. "Obviously, we would like to see these improvements happen quickly, but it is also important to take the time needed to be sure improvements happen in the best possible way for the benefit of all."
Town Council is expected to review some of Woods' recommendations at its July 24 meeting.
Recently, additional parking areas have become available, mostly due to renovations behind the former K&H Auto store on Bellevue Avenue. While the space is available now, it likely won't be when construction on the new Town Hall at Central Avenue and Vine Street begins.
"Instead of going in and paving those areas now and then seeing them get busted up during the construction, it was best to wait," DiDonato said.
Private investments will be sought for much of the improvements, the mayor said.
All you have to do is attend a Hammonton First meeting and you'll see who owns the property downtown and the "much needed additional Parking space". Our taxpayers have been compromised under the Colasurdo Compromise. The new town hall will have "less parking". This plan was brought forth and cheered for by those who will gain the most. Yes someone has to make money out of some deals but not in such a sneaky way. Honest and Open Government. Yeah Right.
