Fate of Melilli Parking Lot Discussed at Public Works Meeting

James Streeto called the meeting of the Public Works Commission to
order at 5:28 p.m., two minutes in advance of the posted meeting
time. He had wanted to start at 5:25 p.m., but David Bauer had
advised against it. The meeting began with a lengthy presentation by
a Mr. MacDonald regarding the use of sand on city roads (see post
"MacDonald to City: Pound Sand", January 14, 2010). After the 30 minute discussion of sand the matter of the Melilli Plaza parking lot was discussed.

A brief presentation by the Harbor Improvement Commission started
things off. Its members submitted a sketch of how handicap access
might be incorporated into the tunnel beneath Route 9 that provides
access to Harbor Park. They advised that work on the tunnel should
precede plantings in that area that would be part of the parking lot
project. In response to a question about the cost of the tunnel
improvements, Jim Sipperly estimated $100,000-175,000. Lisa Santangelo argued that improved access to the park would encourage more
river visitors to use the Melilli Plaza lot, potentially remaining in
the city afterward instead of speeding off on Route 9.

Trevor Davis read a letter by Mark Levin, owner of Mallove's Jewelers,
supporting the project as designed by the Public Works department.
Mr. Davis indicated his own support as well. He said that timing is
an important issue and that whatever happens should happen soon. He
applauded the addition of an oil/water separator to the project.
Mike Stone, owner of Main Street Market, said that now that
environmental concerns have been addressed, the project should go
forward.

Police sergeant Mike Marino, saying that the police chief had asked
him to come but that he was not speaking on the chief's behalf,
endorsed the lighting and security camera improvements. He said that
the existence of the cameras themselves would act as a deterrent. Mr.
Streeto asked him what incidence of crime had been in the parking lot
during the past few years. Mr. Marino said he did not have the
figures off the top of his head but would get them for the
Commission. He added that the police record would not reflect
incidents that were resolved without a police report. Planning &
Zoning Director Bill Warner offered usage statistics that indicated
low utilization of the lower (municipal employees') parking lot during
the evening hours and inferred that motorists did not feel comfortable
using it.

Jane Harris of the Urban Forestry Commission spoke next, rebutting the
claim of Bill Russo that Urban Forestry endorsed the Public Works plan
for Melilli Plaza (see post "Melilli Plaza Parking Lot back on Front
Burner at Public Works", January 11, 2010). Urban Forestry had sent a
letter to Public Works in March 2009 advising that all but the worst
two or three of the Plane trees should be kept. These trees were a
1977 gift from the Rockfall Foundation and the Garden Club. She added
in her capacity as a Rockfall board member that the Rockfall
Foundation feels the plan's grade change will further isolate the
deKoven House and opined that this aspect of the plan is hugely
overpriced for the benefit.

Catherine Johnson pointed out that more spaces could be gained by
striping the lot differently; that it was unnecessary to join the
lots; and that not all important stakeholders had been involved in the
design process. Jennifer Saynes repeated the point that no new spaces
were being added despite the significant cost. She felt that the
conversion of prime property on deKoven Drive opposite Harbor Park had
been an enormous mistake and that joining the lots would be "investing
money in a tragedy". She urged the Commission to think about the big
picture.

Mr. Warner commented on potential revenue from the parking lot. Gross
receipts currently total $35,122 per year. Parking is free for two
hours during the day and free nights and weekends. He felt this
revenue stream could be boosted to $375,000 per year through the
addition of automated access control and perhaps through reducing the
time allowed for free parking. (He later added that the new practice
of keeping parking receipts for use by the new parking authority will
provide an incentive to raise fees, since the money will be directed
back into downtown improvements.)

Director of Public Works William Russo said that all the right people
had been "at the table" during the design process. There is $962,000
of Federal stimulus money available, and that the additions to the
project will require using $250,000-300,000 of it.

Beth Emery supported more bike racks, as well as a covered shelter for
the racks. She said this would be a progressive addition to the
project. She also urged people to attend a talk "Traffic, Parking,
and Our Green Future" in New Haven on Tuesday, 19 February. Brian Stewart (full discloure: the author of this post) spoke in support of enhanced bicycle parking. He
added that the expensive regrading of the lots so that they could be
joined would result in the loss of the plane trees and result in no
net gain in parking spaces, and hence is not worth the cost.

Mr. Streeto asked if the Commissioners were ready to move the issue to
the City Council. Mr. Bauer said that a number of significant issues
had yet to be discussed. Mr. Klattenberg said that he was ready, and
Mr. Streeto announced that he was "on the fence". With that,
discussion moved on to stormwater improvements to Ridgewood Road/
Basswood Drive.