The never-ending question of parking in the downtown area continues to be on the minds of St. Joseph City Commissioners. At a meeting this week, they voted to hire Walker Consulting of Ann Arbor to help study the issue and come up with a plan. Assistant City Manager Emily Hackworth told commissioners the group and local leaders will engage the public as a strategy is drafted.
“We really got down to the brass tacks of what we need, which is some parking recommendations,” Hackworth said. “We will then do some public engagement, which will be fabulous. We want the voices of all our stakeholders. Residents, downtown residents, business owners, downtown employees, visitors. So, we will get those voices and continue to shape the recommendations from there.”
The consulting firm will be paid $60,000 for the study. The Downtown Development Authority requested the consultant be hired. Hackworth said whatever they come up with will be brought back to the city commission. In the past, ideas for parking downtown have included the construction of a parking garage, installing meters, or opening a new lot.
