Downtown parking garage to begin construction in january
 

Where else would they start a downtown "renovation" project by building a parking garage?

DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE TO BEGIN
CONSTRUCTION IN JANUARY

Construction of Wildwood's new parking garage at the corner of US 301/Main St. and Oxford St. is scheduled to begin in early January. The surface lot on
that site will close as soon as Jan. 2, 2024.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Jan. 8 at 11:00 a.m. and is open to the public. All are invited. The multistory structure will house approximately 125 vehicle spaces, providing much-needed parking for existing and future downtown businesses.

Current construction schedules estimate a Fall 2024 opening, subject to change based on supply chain, weather,
and other potential delays.
The first significant construction project of the city's downtown master plan, adopted in November 2021, the parking garage is one component of a public- private partnership between the City of Wildwood and G3 Development.

That partnership also includes construction of approximately 8,000 square feet of new, leasable commercial space expected to be filled by one or more dining and entertainment businesses. The commercial building, which will be built, owned, and operated by G3 Development, is expected to begin construction in mid-2024 and open in early 2025.

The downtown master planning process involved participation and input from both residents and local businesses through surveys, interviews, a workshop, virtual open house, and presentations. During that process, participants were asked to identify and prioritize community needs and wants. Downtown redevelopment and revitalization quickly emerged as the top issue community members wanted the city to address. "Nothing happens quickly in government" said City Manager Jason McHugh. "There are checks and balances built into every step of the process to ensure fair and judicial use of taxpayer resources, which is vital but takes time." "Then the pandemic threw a big wrench into the mix," he added. "But we are now firmly on our way to implementing the vision laid out by our community, and Wildwood's future is brighter than it has ever been."

Because it's not going to do a lot of good to create a lot of new business when there is no place for customers to park. Have you been over to Wildwood? The train tracks running behind the business along 301 make parking almost impossible. Makes sense to me to build a parking garage first.

And with 301 on the other side? This is like shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic after hitting the iceberg :)

Sorry but the people behind this are drinking their own bathwater at the taxpayers expense..

Makes sense to me. Limited parking now and even less when the renovation work begins. Either cripple downtown for years or provide the parking that will be needed to keep it viable.

So this is what we are getting for our tax money for those of us that pay Wildwood City taxes.

And Wildwood police presence, many of us came from the LSL and north.

We could watch cars, UPS, FEDex, and lawn company's (never Amazon, or Mike Scott Plumbing), going 50 in a 30, maybe seeing a Leo once a month if that.

Or that great empty sheriffs car parked on the side of a road for 2 weeks.

Wildwood will stop, and ticket, kudos to them. Just for PD it’s worth the tax.

And just when I thought people ran out of things to complain about

Big plans for new revenue
 

Parking garage and MORE!

[url]https://www.www.**************.com/2023/05/03/wildwood-mayor-issues-statement-after-split-vote-on-new-recreation-center/

From May 2023:

Wildwood’s city commission last night directed staff to begin contract negotiations with OLC Architecture to design a new recreation and outreach center at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Following a conceptual design presentation by OLC’s Maged Elsheikh, five citizens in attendance spoke in favor of the project during the meeting’s public forum. Included were faculty and parents from the Wildwood Middle High School drama club, who described a shortage of space for programs that enrich traditional classroom education.

Elected officials discussed the significant, growing need for such a facility while raising questions about its capacity related to projected population increases, accessibility, security, and cost. Project construction is currently estimated at $10 million, with a total project cost of approximately $12 million.

In a split vote, the commission authorized the city manager to develop contract documents for project design. Following the meeting, Mayor Ed Wolf, one of two dissenting votes on the five-member commission, issued the following statement:
I have no question this facility is intended to serve the community. The concerns I raised this evening were centered around our best path forward, and exercising prudence with taxpayer funds as we take on the largest infrastructure project in Wildwood’s history, our new wastewater treatment plant.

As an educator in Wildwood’s schools for more than a quarter-century, I taught and coached many of the residents in the room tonight, as well as their children, and still regard them as family. I have no doubt that the students and athletes who will use this facility—as well as our seniors and other community members—will benefit from it.

As we proceed, I implore our management team to achieve the vision presented tonight with the same civic responsibility and meticulous attention to detail they demonstrate in other city affairs to ensure this investment does not jeopardize Wildwood’s current and future fiscal health.

In a subsequent agenda item, Ben Fries from CPH LLC. provided an update on the new wastewater treatment facility, explaining that recent flows have exceeded those projected when the project began. He recommended increasing the new facility’s ultimate 6 MGD capacity by one-third to 8 MGD, noting that disposal of the resulting increased volume of treated water presents additional challenges that will need to be addressed.

Wouldn't multiple surface parking lots make a lot more sense? Spread them all along 301. Then people can park next to the store they want to go to. And a lot less expensive.
What is the latest cost for this new parking ramp? How much $ per car?

I guess you missed post #8?

Thank you for you most helpful comment, bit I did not miss that comment. Where was the $ per car in that post? The question was to clarify costs. In the past, a total cost of $4mm to $6mm was floated. Now it's at least double that. What changed? What extras are being paid for in that increase? More spots somewhere? More side lots?

IF at $12mm for 125 spots... that's only $96,000 per spot. Such a bargain. Surely that cost is not right. No sane person would approve that.

Where are you proposing these surface parking lots be located along 301? There is no space next to these businesses that isn't already a parking area. Definitely no way to park in front of them either.

I do see some problems with ingress and egress from the proposed parking garage, 301 can get pretty heavy with traffic.

Well they did. $6.6 million for 126 spots, $52,000 per parking spot.

Most of which likely will be used by city hall employees, not customer's. But probably enough left over for Miz Kathi's Cotillion Southern Café...

////

All the info. https://wildwooddowntown.com/wp-cont...ent_Report.pdf

What a waste of money. Not sure which is worse: this parking garage or the sidewalk along hwy 44 that nobody will ever use.

It is a beautiful plan, but no economical analysis of the financial/commercial viability.

Consultants like that interview the decision makers and feedback what they hear rather than what makes economic sense.

The first seven years calls for redevelopment of the shopping center, which today has plenty of unused parking. And building a parking garage?

Plus a cart path connecting to the Villages...

Hopefully they will put a time limit of 2-3hrs to prevent abuse by city employees

I thought the same thing. What difference does it make to the OP? I think it's s smart plan, give the construction people a place to park.

Entry from the side and rear will eliminate this hazard. My wish, as a retired Architect and resident, would be that the design replicate the beautiful brickwork they demolished!

Downtown Parking Garage in Wildwood
 

In the pictures of the renovated Wildwood, I still see 301 running right through it. I thought 301 was going to be rerouted so it wouldn’t go right through the center of the new Wildwood.

More to come after the parking garage, only the begainning. Wildwood will be the new Disney? :a040:

You know what happen when bypass done. 99.0% bypass. This happen in my hometown. Was major route north till interstate highway system re-routed traffic. When from thriving community with 4 gas stations, 3 grocery stores, movie theater, car dealership, to two gas station and one grocery store. Otherwise, dying ghost town if wasn’t for farming community.

301 is being rerouted to bypass Coleman.

Any idea what/which businesses will benefit from this parking garage?

It certainly will NOT benefit any villages businesses.
Even though most Wildwood tax revenue comes from the villages.

If they are trying to attract shoppers from the villages, I think it's a safe bet that nearly all would never walk very far from their car to get to a store. So only businesses within 1 block maximum.
If that's 25 small stores, $12mm cost divided by 25 = $480,000 per store. Such a marvelous use of taxes.

Instead of a parking ramp.... Buy various properties along 301. Demolish and put in a paved parking lot for 30 cars. Cost estimated $300k each.
For $12mm they can make 40 of those. Or 1,200 parking spots. Scattered where businesses need them.

It's called infrastructure. Should always come first.

The sidewalk along 44 was paid for with State money, not County money...

Parking Garage
 

… and do you really think you will park for free???
Parking garages are costly to maintain.

…been in the parking industry for over 30 years. I know 😉

Wasted Resources
 

We saw that sidewalk. Yes, the parking garage is just like it, a waste of resources. Thankfully we don’t pay Wildwood taxes. $52,380.95 per parking space seems a little pricey to me. You could build homes for the poor and destitute for less?

It's still tax money that could have not been collected and wasted

Agree. It is misplaced optimism at best. They should choose large open space somewhere else & build from there.

Bypass is Just a Mayb
 

A 301 bypass should be the first thing built, but it's not even part of this plan. In out-years it is a possible consideration. 301 should be rerouted to the west side of the tracks all the way from the Turnpike up to the bridge by Oakwood Express.

Needed a WaWa today so traveling 301, the property cleared is very tiny for a parking structure. Within walking are couple thrift store, Miz Kathy restaurant and bakery. Little farther down train store. Driving I couldn’t see how many fronts are empty, but seems a lot.

Have to say we used to stop at Miz K, but just not as good as it once was. Rarely go to thrift stores p, so unless they are bringing in new business to fill empty store fronts. I have no worries I will need a parking spot

So that makes it right, right?

You’re kidding right? They are in charge I’m willing bet they will get free pass for parking.

Unless you don't own a car and walking or bicycle is your only means of transportation...

I've never had a problem parking there. 120 more spaces won't make any significant difference.
If they are pay-to-park spots, will go to other places with free parking. Unless they give me a free pass since my tax money is paying for that

Unless the motivation for the parking garage first is to provide space for City Hall employees and visitors?

How many employees work at city hall? 20, 50, 100
How big is this perceived problem?