Last week on Friday, I wheeled through the new downtown, headed
for Scotty’s Restaurant, at the Bowl. The Bowl has filet of sole as
the special on Friday, and like everything else on the menu, it’s
good.
Last week on Friday, I wheeled through the new downtown, headed for Scotty’s Restaurant, at the Bowl. The Bowl has filet of sole as the special on Friday, and like everything else on the menu, it’s good.
There was something unusual about last week’s trip, though. There were parking spots immediately available. I didn’t have to circle the block a few times, as has been the usual circumstance since the revamped downtown reopened for business.
The reason for this pleasant surprise was apparent as I exited and locked my car. Community Service Officer Gary Muraoka promptly stepped up and marked my tire. As reported in this paper, it appears the two-hour parking limit imposed by City Council will start to be enforced, with violators of the two-hour limit assessed a $30 fine for overtime parking.
With certain exceptions I will discuss below, I think it’s an excellent move. Churning the parking spots downtown will create more spots; more parking spots available will mean that more people can shop, and for the downtown to survive and prosper, customer traffic is essential.
Almost all business conducted in the downtown can be completed in way less than two hours. Whether you’re grabbing a latte, getting shoes repaired, eating at the restaurants, or just taking advantage of the WiFi connection, two hours not only works, it’s pretty generous.
I had business at the Alameda County Sheriff’s department at the county courthouse there a few weeks ago. Parking around the courthouse is at a premium, and it’s metered at the outrageous price of a quarter per 12 minutes. It’s usually a short stop, so I put in two quarters, but unfortunately, got behind two people who were trying to talk the Sheriff out of evicting them (didn’t work) and ran over the 24 minutes. When I got back, I had a $35 citation for overtime parking. So, let’s point out that in Gilroy, you not only get two hours, it’s free, at least for the time being.
As to the exception I mentioned above, I disagree with Mayor Al Pinheiro that nothing can be done for daytime bowlers. A bowling league takes more than two hours to complete. Patrons of the Bowl now face the unenviable problem of having to move their cars before the league is finished.
I discussed this with Joyce Milla, a long-time friend and employee there, and Joyce’s idea was that parking be extended to three hours for league bowlers. She further thought that a parking permit or sticker could be issued by the bowl to daytime league bowlers that extended the parking in front of the business to three hours, which is enough time to complete the league. I don’t see this as particularly unwieldy, or a special favor. The Bowl has been open since 1969, and weathered the downtown closing storm. It’s a rather unique situation. As Joyce has pointed out, most bowlers are carrying in a bowling bag that isn’t fun to lug a few blocks. That perhaps deserves the attention of Council.
I don’t really consider our “parking problem” that big a problem. It means the Downtown is coming to life. Anyone tried to find a parking space in Los Gatos or Saratoga lately? You’re going to walk a few blocks to get where you’re going. Considering the fact that a cannon could have been shot off at noon down Monterey Street without much fear of hitting anyone before the revamp, it’s not a bad problem to have.
However, we need handicapped parking places delineated and marked. I’m living with a person who has a permit now, and as I ferry her around town, I’m appalled at the number of able-bodied people who park in handicap spaces for “just a few minutes.” Stop it. It’s Illegal, inconsiderate and cruel.
One more thing: the city is apparently taking action against the shelled-out building at Monterey and Fourth, owned by Su Casa Realty. I happen to know through my job that there’s legal action pending against the owners. I don’t care. The permits have expired, and it’s an eyesore. If the process to demolish it and lien the property for the demolition fees has started, accelerate it. Many downtown projects have started and finished while it sits there looking like it’s situated in downtown Beirut.
And speaking of demolition of blighted property, the city has owned the former taco stand and house behind it at 7th and Monterey for quite a while. These buildings are not only unattractive, the house is an obvious firetrap. Isn’t it time to demolish them?
