The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].
Question:
Dear Mayor,
I would like to start off by thanking you for all your hard work you do for our community and commend you for a job well done. People only tend to notice when something goes wrong but fail to see when so much runs smoothly.
I was discussing an idea with some friends and was wondering if it was in any way implementable.
Clifton ave, from 4th and on is often really backed up, especially during peak times. I myself almost always seek to circumvent that route whenever traveling to and from that part of town.
A unique idea that was brought up, considering how wide Clifton is currently, was perhaps eliminating on street parking, as there is plenty of municipal parking in the back on both sides, and dualising Clifton entirely. Then the 2 lanes coming from Cedarbridge could continue straight and eliminate the right turn only lane alleviating the bottle neck from the Hurley and Cedarbridge intersection.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and hope this community can continue to benefit from your hard work and talents for many years to come,
Sincerely,
Eli
Response from Mayor Coles:
Hi Eli,
I only wish we had more than enough parking downtown. One of the most common complaints I receive is about how hard it can be to find parking downtown. I am hoping to convince the committee that we need a parking garage downtown, which would help alleviate some of the congestion.
That being said, we are looking at ways to help traffic flow downtown. We will be working with Maser Consulting to implement many of the ideas they proposed in a traffic study we conducted last year.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Ray
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Speaking of a lack of parking.
It would help if parking rules were actually enforced.
Also, why are there so many cars parked in the parking lot attached to the municipal building that never seem to move.
It seems as though some spots are not used properly….
Who’s the employee of the month? Because there is a spot reserved for that person. I can’t remember the last time there was an employee of the month.
Pleas no parkong garage downtown. A garage is a huge expense and it benefits only a small few. Meters should be installed at all Public parking this would alleviate a big part of the problem. The money can be used to improve traffic around town..
If the parking would be enforced for actual shoppers then there would be plenty of parking spots but since most of the spots are taken by people who live above the stores…. All spots r full even before the stores open. Drive around at night when all stores are closed and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. The parking lots are basically full without any shoppers!
No parking meters – P L E A S E. I always find parking when I go downtown, but if I have to pay for parking, I’ll never go down town. It would be very bad for business. People don’t want to have to walk from a parking lot, that;s why they complain about parking.
How about making Clifton a one way northbound and Lexington one way southbound from main st till 5th
It doesn’t have to be expensive ($.50 an hour is enough). It will deter people from leaving their cars in the street for extended periods. It will help the businesses, enhance safety and bring in a little $$. Almost every downtown in America has meters.
Meters don’t make more parking spaces
Where are store owners and workers supposed to park?
A parking garage is a great idea
How about issuing tickets for double parking along Clifton Avenue for delivery trucks that are unloading their goods. These trucks impede traffic and pose a threat to cars that have to navigate around them. There is no reason why these delivery trucks cannot not adjust their hours so as not to impede traffic.
While I tend to agree with your perspective, particularly, literally when you pass the light on 4th and Clifton NB and they force you to navigate (towards the middle) dangerously which creates an obstructive view however, as a former Truck driver, who went through this nonsense often, coming in from NY or locally, it’s almost impossible as more establishments open up, creating a need for more trucks, narrowing flexibility. This town is simply beyond on overload and all these comments and suggestions seem to be redundant and a waste of energy & time.
Great idea Ray!!
Always thinking ahead.
There are no words to explain the dysfunctional nightmare on CB Northbound, heading towards 88 during the RH Traffic coming from Brick and so on. It’s an absolute disaster and only piles on the frustration when nearly 2 out of every 3 cars, merges “illegally” over from the “right turning lane” to the “center” – if there was only something to be done about this disaster.
Parking in downtown is adequate, we just need smart parking. One office employee who parks their car on the street from 9-5 is taking 30-40 customers spot, who stop in for only 10-15 minutes throughout the day. All long term parking should be in reserved spots away from stores. This should be strongly enforced.
Regarding making clifton a one way street will devastate the local stores, by making it harder to get there. The ones benefiting will be only those cutting through the downtown to the south side of Lakewood. (1:45-2:15, 7:15- 7:45) The rest of the day there is very minimal traffic.
there are many people who work in the various office in the area.
they need to park from 9 to 5… that is why it seems that they are not moving
Yes I agree. The delivery truck double parking during peek hours is a huge issue. Maybe deliveries need to be eliminated between 830 and 4. For sure no double parking at any time.
No deliveries and then you’ll wonder why your grocery is out of milk.
Would seem the the few costumers/store owners benefiting from the few parking spots that the street has to offer is woefully disproportionate to the amount of commuters effected by the dysfunction. This needs to happen ASAP!
Willy boy, you don’t get it treating Lakewood like New York City is coming from an uneducated view and obviously, not understanding the Dynamics of suburban downtown shopping areas which are struggling all over because of the alternative shopping available in shopping malls and strip malls with plenty of free parking and mobility.
Make a right on red legal from Clifton/Clifton South onto 88 at the same time that 88 has a ‘left turn only light’ onto Clifton/Clifton South. That should alleviate a great portion of the backup on Clifton!
Will the building ever stop?
NEVER!
The town will approve every development to be built.
It’s all about lakewood over flowing into the next town over. (Toms River, Jackson, Brick, and Howell).
There won’t be one open lot or green space in Lakewood.
The town should take one area and make a Park for the 5000 children born every year in Lakewood so they have somewhere safe to play.
STOP THE BUILDING!
NO MORE ROOM IN LAKEWOOD!