Sorry for the lack of recent posts, I’ve been extremely busy and just hadn’t had the time, but I’ve got a few minutes for a new one, so here goes…
I read recently in both local newspapers that Mayor Moak intends on pushing ahead with a plan for a senior center at the Kent St. Parking lot. My problem is that no one has yet addressed the concerns of the residents who live in that neighborhood.
This isn’t a “i don’t want a senior center in my back yard” issue. Not at all. It is strictly a parking issue. Where are these people supposed to park their cars during snow storms? That lot is 100% full during EVERY snow emergency, so obviously there is a need for it.
The city painted itself into this corner a long time ago when houses in the neighborhood were being bought up and restored to condo’s and two family homes, and weren’t required to provide parking. For decades that lot has been the only off street parking that many of the homes in that neighborhood have, and for people that have bought homes there recently, they bought it with the promise that they had off street parking in the winter.
I believe the Mayor suggested that the people that park there now can park at Cashman Park. The same Cashman Park that floods during major storms. So, it would be my assumption that either the city will prevent the river from flooding, or pay for all damages suffered by the citizens forced to park there. Seems fair, right?
Further, the students at the High School are instructed to park at the Kent St. lot during all snow emergencies, where are they to park now? It must be hard enough to find a parking spot there now, but cutting it in half is going to make it all but impossible. We’ve all seen the number of cars parked out side the High School, couple that with the local neighbors and you’re going to have a serious problem.
Again, this has nothing to do with a Senior Center. Everyone wants a Senior Center, but it has to be done right, not quickly. Find a good, solid plan that works for everyone, and don’t try to get it done before your term runs out so you can have a platform to run on next election.
