Newport mulls answers to downtown parking shortage

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-30 13:50

The chamber has taken steps recently to crystallize a streetcar proposal that has been floated for several years, tallying for the first time the number of available private and public parking spaces in the downtown. It's also been studying alternatives including valet parking, improved signage and expanding existing parking lots.

Stokes said he envisions a trolley system as privately operated and at least partially federally funded.

The chamber and city officials have discussed running it along America's Cup Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, two congested state highways that cut through Newport. Stokes said the system should be environmentally friendly — with rubber tires and natural gas or electricity.

The trolleys would also need a designated lane to avoid getting stuck in traffic, an inconvenience affecting buses operated by Rhode Island's public transit authority.

"Getting them from point A to point B quicker than if they took their vehicle or walked is a necessity for them to ride this people mover," said Paige Bronk, Newport's director of planning, zoning, development and inspection.

Though a modern streetcar system may seem out-of-place with the city's colonial appeal, officials say it could actually be a throwback to the early 20th century, when trolleys operated in the city. Plus, Bronk said, there's nothing quaint about the city's traffic.

"Does four lanes of automobile congestion, is that in keeping with the colonial period? It's not," he said. "Is a highway downtown in keeping with the colonial era? It's not."

The issue is personal to Stokes, a lifelong Newport resident who collects letters from disgruntled visitors. Frustrated drivers overstay at meters or park in spots reserved for residents. Private lots hike up their rates at night, and motorists can get stuck behind a driver inching like a tortoise in a vain pursuit of an open spot.

The city takes in roughly $900,000 a year from parking tickets, said city Finance Director Laura Sitrin.

Locals deal with the problem, too.

"I have a business in town, and people sneak into my parking," said Donna Karlovich, 52, who runs the Historic Hill Inn. "It's tough. I feel for them because there's only so many spots."

Greenberg said Newport shouldn't be a hassle to the same out-of-towners whose business it's trying to court.

"I like that area, I'm just trying to make a point," Greenberg said. "You don't feel welcome when you have to worry about stuff like that."

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