Lakewood merchants and the public are invited to the official opening of the first of three municipal parking lots, Third Street between Clifton Avenue and Route 9, Friday, September 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. For years Lakewood merchants and their patrons have been clamoring for more parking downtown, especially considering Lakewood’s growing population. In 2007, the Lakewood UEZ began to identify properties on Second, Third, and Fifth streets that could be converted to parking lots. The Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC) the administrative arm of the UEZ, began to acquire those properties with a plan to construct new parking lots.
The Third Street parking lot is the first to be completed. It adjoins the municipal lot on Fourth Street, and allows shoppers to enter on Fourth Street and exit on Third Street.
According to Patricia Komsa, executive director of the LDC and coordinator of the UEZ, the LDC has purchased property on Second Street and is negotiating for additional property in that area to create a contiguous set of parking lots from Fourth to First streets.
Komsa says, “The design for a lot on Fifth Street is already underway. The LDC hopes to begin demolition of structures on Fifth Street in October in order to move ahead with plans for the new lot. This lot will allow access directly to Clifton Avenue via a pedestrian walkway.
“Businesses backing up to the new lot have already begun to establish convenient rear entrances for customers. Tips and Toque, a baking and kitchen gadget boutique, is a UEZ business who is ready to take advantage of the new lot.”
Because parking has a direct impact on the economic development of the downtown, the UEZ has taken the lead to increase parking. The advantages range from encouraging businesses to stay or locate in the downtown to encouraging people to shop, stroll and eat in the downtown.
Komsa says, “There are not many municipalities that can brag that they have a ‘real downtown.’ We do. We need to encourage economic growth and job creation in order to sustain our downtown and our community at large.” [Submitted by Township]
Why do the downtown merchants get tax payer funding parking facility’s while everyone els has to pay top dollar rent??
is this for bikes? or for the ladies with the huge SUVs who refuse to put down their cellphones while they drive around town looking for a space?
why is everything going to the downtown area. what about all the other buisness in lakewood.
downtown gets free garbage pickup how about the twnshp pick up my garbage. all these lots are plowed by the township how about they plow mine.
I am getting the fealling that the twnshp only cares about the downtown area and that is a shme.
Mrs komsa how about the uez pay for my garbage pick up and plowing.
if the downtown area way paying double the amount of taxes than other business than fine but we are paying our taxes and it seems that they get all the benifits.
The parking lot between first and second street is always empty, why do we need even more parking lots? The problem with downtown is not parking, it’s just not a very pleasant place to shop.
I’m a downtown business owner and let me tell you it ain’t easy. In a regualr shopping center there is a property manager that takes care of the plowing, parking, garbage etc etc. In the downtown, there is no property manager. Lakewood Township is the property manager. So that is why they take responsability.
AE what are you talking about? I never find the 2nd st lot empty. They need more parking around there!!
I have stopped shopping downtown and it has nothing to do with the lack of parking. It’s not a pleasant place to shop
thank you hershel!
To #5 : you made the decision to locate your business downtown. There are plenty of regular shopping centers around
#8
Bingo!
Old Goyim Billy for Mayor!!!
would 1 parking garage [ and yes charge a fee if need be to cover the costs ] be cheaper than paying for 3 properties [ over $200k each ] and all the work and maintaince they will need ??
Hmmm…Time to go Swirling!!!!
I hope the Supplies used for the Ribbon-cutting ceremony….were purchased in the Downtown!!!
I wonder if they will place those “Pedestrian signs” in the Parking lot too…there might be lots of Car Maneuvering!!!(Cell Phone Chatter..)
# 11
I would only be a one term Mayor.
red light cameras on all traffic signals
some changes to the building codes to provide for more parking
Vine Street -would run from Rt 70 to Rt 88 one way or another to reduce traffic delays.
Hmmm…why One-turn Mayor??If your good stay longer…If not don’t run!!!
And what is going to be done with ON STREET (double parking) deliveries? Will deliveries now be made to the back of the stores? When trucks are making deliveries you cannot get through down town. And the cops DO NOT enforce the rules.
Shopping downtown is like going to Tijawana (Tee-ah-wana)Mexico I like it
I don’t like downtown because of the loitering – the parking is a very nice idea but will not make it a less scary place to be – so it would be nice if it wasn’t bought with our tax dollars, but honestly, i would rather not have to pay such high taxes.
where can i park my donkey? gringos