The Easton City Council held a special symposium to discuss potential solutions to the city's infamous parking problem as they relocated to a new location.
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At a parking summit, city officials greeted workers and residents and gave updates on research and reports in an effort to find solutions for the much-maligned "p-word problem." Also, they solicited suggestions from the public to enhance parking for all.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. stated at the beginning of the meeting that rather than just listing complaints, the goal of the discussion was to explore solutions for the parking problem. Panto stated, "We have decided to ask the public that either lives downtown, owns a building downtown, or has a business downtown to share their ideas with us about potential solutions." "We are aware of the issues."
The mayor began by introducing the meeting and providing an overview of the data and existing solutions the city has looked into. A little reduction in garage charges and an increase in street meters were implemented in an attempt to promote parking in the neighborhood garages rather than on the street. Night workers, especially those in the restaurant business, were also eligible for discounts on garage usage.
Panto added, "We have a lot of individuals parking in our garages that are from [or coming to] Crayola throughout the summer," which is why the city implemented a "Crayola rate," a parking fee designed to attract guests to the Crayola Experience. "There is no difference between us going from $1 to $3 [per hour] and a Jersey coastal town that makes a lot more money from May to October than it does from October to May," Panto stated.
The mayor announced a plan to limit the number of residential units in buildings that can obtain permits for street parking. That will be especially useful once a number of apartments with hundreds of units open, he said. Panto also recognized that the low cost of passes for a provision he established in the 1980s has resulted in a preponderance of parking issues. Panto stated, "The reason we do not have street parking for the business district is because the residents are parking." "And why not, at $100 a year?
Because people are at home on weekends, which is when retailers do the best business, there is a dichotomy in downtown—not just in Easton, but in any downtown—between the business and retail districts and the neighborhoods. This dichotomy really exists. Panto then invited comments from the public.
One speaker suggested creating a "crowd calendar" that would allow locals and guests to Easton to check parking availability at different times of the day, much like those found in Disney parks. Owner of Modern Crumb Bakeshop Kathryn Gaffney made a number of recommendations, including more backing for a parking validation scheme that lowers prices for small business owners in order to target them. Additionally, daytime cheap parking passes for local employees, modeled after an evening and nighttime worker program now in place.
"My workers begin work at 4 a.m. and end at 2," Gaffney stated. "And since there are several bakeries in our community, I know I can not be the only one trying to support my staff and save them from having to take out loans from their own pockets in order to pay for their daily expenses." As Gaffney mentioned that there were traffic bottlenecks as people were leaving parking garages, Panto speculated that problems with electronic checkouts might be the cause and that it was something to look into.
"I think we do need, perhaps, a person, an attendant," said Luis Campos, the city administrator, in an attempt to speed up the procedure. Panto considered compulsory registration for all cars in the city when it was suggested that permits be needed for automobiles located in West Ward alleyways.
The West Ward may only allow residents to register two cars after that, and it will start to cost them money to attempt to dissuade those who own four or five automobiles, according to Panto. This might happen as early as next year. Parking for owner-occupied homes is available in addition to allocated meter spaces, which take up spots and are identified by a red bag that can be purchased from the city for a certain price.
Maher stated, "Just so you know, they have the red bags on there every day of the week, 24 hours a day." We are down to two parking places, as I mentioned earlier. Maher suggested that the city think about imposing restrictions on baggage. The contribution of public transit to lowering the number of cars in downtown was one of the main topics of discussion that evening.
Nick Gorski, the chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Environmental Advisory Council, talked about negotiating a plan with Lehigh and the Northampton Transportation Authority to increase the number of people visiting downtown Easton while minimizing traffic. "LANTA will be an essential collaborator in this endeavor, as they own both the drivers and—above all—the vehicles," Gorski stated.
"We can run buses more frequently if we can use the capital expenses that they have already spent and if we can obtain any cash to go toward operating costs." According to him, that might help reduce traffic even more. Panto and Councilman Frank Pintabone related tales of how Easton's once-vibrant public transportation system was an integral part of the community. They claimed that the way it is now, with the general public showing little interest, indicates a problem.
In a recent discussion with LANTA executives, Pintabone said he was informed that the company's buses operate around every 20 minutes. However, he also learned that the industry felt there was not enough demand for public transportation to warrant considering boosting traffic. "Recently, I got stuck while riding the bus," he stated. "What they said to me was simply untrue. "When it comes to extending time, their objection—which they attempt to justify—is that not enough people desire it. Their money is not worth it, and we do not have enough. Thus, we should consider attempting to establish the culture, correct?
In her speech, Councilwoman Crystal Rose emphasized the significance of pursuing public transportation as a crucial component in solving the parking issue on behalf of a number of people who were unable to attend the summit. Rose added, "I have to agree with the thoughts expressed by a few other folks who could not be here tonight.
"We really need to keep advocating for transit loops connecting different areas, even if it is beyond our control. It is quite significant, and I believe that people desire it. Additional recommendations proposed making investments in the infrastructure needed for electric car charging, which could also be used as parking spots. However, concerns about flammability in small spaces like garages have prevented the installation of these devices.
Encouraging additional grocery stores to relocate within the municipal limits, even though there is not much demand from large retailers. One or more individuals proposed that the city look into forming alliances with private companies and groups in order to lease space during off-peak hours. Panto claimed that option had been investigated in vain. A further suggestion was made to enhance the usability of the city's parking meter app, particularly with regard to extending the parking duration.
A woman complimenting the accommodations at the Fourth Street garage stated that having reserved spaces available would be helpful. That "was a terrific suggestion," according to the mayor.
Jared Mast, executive director of the Greater Easton Development Partnership, shed light on the problem of Easton Public Market employees seeking jobs. Mast recommended that the city look into a low-wage worker-focused option and investigate a "equitable structure" that would stop those workers from parking in other areas and occupying spaces.
Panto stated that public hearings would follow the review and presentation of the recommendations to city council, which is expected to happen in late September.