[Normal]

Well it’s official, Wildwood taxes are being wasted on City Hall upgrades. The new 6.6 million dollar 126 space garage sounds really nice. When you look on google maps you see another wasted parking space where Ace hardware is and it’s a couple hundred feet away. But hey, this one will be newer and shiny. Who cares if the hundreds of spaces are wasted there? Those are all dirty and old.

What’s north of 50 k per spot anyway? Public Portal • CivicClerk

[Bill14564]

It looks like the property has about 30 spots now. The new garage will have the same number of spots per level and adds three levels. This seems like a good use for the space.

Using the Ace hardware lot may not be feasible. The owner may not be interested in seeing his private property use for public parking. There might be regulations for how many spaces need to be provided for each storefront which would be affected if the spaces were diverted to public spots.

Looking at several pages online it seems a high-end price for a parking structure (just the structure) is about $30,000/spot. At almost twice that price, this project seems to be very expensive, even if it includes the purchase of the property.

[Altavia]

Suspect the real motivation could be parking for City Hall.

Previous thread:

Downtown parking garage to begin construction in january

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Suspect the real motivation could be parking for City Hall.

Previous thread:

Downtown parking garage to begin construction in january

Yes, you made that claim in the other thread as well. Do you have anything to back it up?

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Yes, you made that claim in the other thread as well. Do you have anything to back it up?

Incorrect assumption on my part on the garage location.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Claimed nothing, I used the word suspect.

Because if you look in that area today, without crossing 301, the only possible immediate need is City Hall.

If the intent was to support the few, small existing business, it's on the wrong side of 301.

The plan states any commercial development is 7 years out. Who do you think will use that parking garage until then?

I agree, but that really isn’t the whole issue. 50 K for each parking space? That’s just nuts! We are talking about downtown Wildwood for crying out loud. The city has lost all focus.

I don’t think Finfrock from Apopka minds it one bit. What a shame. The people of Wildwood could use other things so much more.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Normal

I agree, but that really isn’t the whole issue. 50 K for each parking space? That’s just nuts! We are talking about downtown Wildwood for crying out loud. The city has lost all focus.

I don’t think Finfrock from Apopka minds it one bit. What a shame. The people of Wildwood could use other things so much more.

For sure, and discussed in the other thread.

BTW - thanks for posting the link to the Wildwood Public Portal.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Claimed nothing, I used the word suspect.

Because if you look in that area today, without crossing 301, the only possible immediate need is City Hall.

If the intent was to support the few, small existing business, it's on the wrong side of 301.

The plan states any commercial development is 7 years out. Who do you think will use that parking garage until then?

I think you have the garage on the wrong side of 301. It is on the west side, next to Nick's Trains and near Miz Kathi's Cotilion. City Hall is across the street.

If City Hall inhabitants do use the garage, rather than the 50 spots at City Hall, then they will be freeing up spots elsewhere for customers to use. One way or another there will be 90 additional parking places.

I have no idea how many parking places are needed but planning ahead is rarely a bad thing.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I think you have the garage on the wrong side of 301. It is on the west side, next to Nick's Trains and near Miz Kathi's Cotilion. City Hall is across the street.

Argh, you're correct, dummy me

[justjim]

I haven’t seen the Wildwood city annual budget so a lot of speculation on this Thread. 50k per parking slot does seem costly. Some residents would like some sort of city subsidy for affordable housing but perhaps that is in the budget elsewhere.

[kansasr]

Originally Posted by Normal

Well it’s official, Wildwood taxes are being wasted on City Hall upgrades. The new 6.6 million dollar 126 space garage sounds really nice. When you look on google maps you see another wasted parking space where Ace hardware is and it’s a couple hundred feet away. But hey, this one will be newer and shiny. Who cares if the hundreds of spaces are wasted there? Those are all dirty and old.

What’s north of 50 k per spot anyway? Public Portal • CivicClerk

There's a real good idea....have pedestrians crossing US 301 to get to shops on the other side!

[DrMack]

The amount is excessive, but it isn’t your money so why worry?

[Papa_lecki]

Downtown wildwood isn’t that attractive to investors. If the new parking garage makes the rest of the real estate attractive, ratables will increase and taxes will increase.

It government making an investment, so private $$$ follow.

If downtown WIldwood isn’t a different place in 3 to 5 years, then it’s a waste of money.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by DrMack

The amount is excessive, but it isn’t your money so why worry?

If you live in the incorporated section of the Villages, as many of the newer people do, then it actually was their money.

[HoosierPa]

Look into Wildwood downtown renovation plans