It was a packed house. Northampton County Council Finance Committee meetings as usually as entertaining as watching paint dry. Yet twenty-four people and seven council members were present yesterday. That has to be some kind of record.Sitting in the peanut gallery was former Director of Administration Jim Hickey. He was right next to the current Director, John Conklin, giving him nasty lessons.
Hickey took one look at me and asked, "Who's the father?"
I took the high road and tried ignoring the miserable bastard, moving to the other side of the room. But when Hickey's project was presented, I had to move back so I could see a fancy power point presentation.
Budget Administrator Doran Hamann - there because of the proposed rebate - turned around when I plopped down. He saw Hickey, inexplicably smiled, and asked, "Do you miss us?"
"Like VD," was Jim's sensitive response.
Hickey was actually at this finance committee meeting on a matter very important to anyone who works at or near the courthouse.
Parking.
As anyone who travels to the courthouse will readily attest, there is none. I usually park in one of the judge's spots, so it doesn't bother me. But things are about to get a lot worse. The county's parking deck is 32 years old and has been falling apart the last few years. Its estimated remaining life? Two years. Repairs will cost over $6 million, which translates to $34,000 per parking space. After repairs, it will be necessary to do patch work at least every other year.
Hickey's engineering firm, CMX, was hired to study the county's parking problems and propose a solution. According to CMX, there are currently 803 parking spaces in the lots and public streets around the courthouse. CMX proposes building a new, seven story, parking deck along the south side of Washington Street, near the Milides building recently purchased by the county.
This new parking deck would include, on its ground floor, a new archives, IT and maintenance facility. It would expand parking to 1597 available spaces, at a cost of $18-22,000 per space. It would have a lifespan of fifty to sixty years. Once built, the existing parking deck would be demolished, giving the county much-needed room for prison or courthouse expansion.
Council prez Ann McHale likes the idea of expanding the prison into the existing parking deck "instead of taking property off the tax rolls in Bethlehem Township." Council member Neiper questioned the wisdom of moving archives into the ground floor of a parking garage, and county exec Stoffa indicated he was willing to listen to other ideas.
Total cost, with all the bells and whistles, is projected at a whopping $37.5 million, to be financed by a bond.
It's worth it. It solves a long-term parking problem and gives county facilities a home on its ground floor. Even more importantly, it will now be possible to expand both prison and courthouse without interfering with any of Easton's neighborhoods.
29 comments:
i agree- when you do things right- you do them once....
This sounds like a good idea, but I'm not aware of all the parking needs and all that goes into building a lot.
Will it provide enough spaces, even on busy days/nights?
Also, is 50-60 years a decent life for a parking garage?
AJ, This will certainly solve the parking problem for many years to come. I honestly don't know how long a parking garage is supposed to last.
There is something about this that just doesn't feel right. I'm not sure what it is but there is something not quite as it appears.
There is something about this that just doesn't feel right.
Well, there's as good a reason as any to kill the damn thing.
If we are truely honest there is more 'free' parking around the NorCo Court House than most other local counties.
Not that the facts ever got in the way of Northampton County.
The John Stoffa Parking Garage. It's 33 million, he's not recommedning it, its just an option. Such leadership on display.
If we are truely honest there is more 'free' parking around the NorCo Court House than most other local counties.
Not that the facts ever got in the way of Northampton County.
If you want to be truly honest, there is not a lot of room to park around that courthouse, which sits atop a hill. There are 800 spots on the streets (paid) and on lots. Try parking there at 9 AM when jurys are there. It will take you 30 minutes to find a spot.
Now the real reason some may oppose this is because, heaven forbid, they don't want the county to be able to expand on its own campus. They want the county to be forced to buy from developers who contribute to campaigns.
he's not recommedning it, its just an option. Such leadership on display.
If Stoffa endorses this project flatly, Team Dertinger will look for reasons to shoot it down, as you are doing now.
What would be the cost difference if parking were place in cheaper locations and top rate circulating shuttle service were added in the city. It would seem that there are much more efficient ways to spend 37.5 million that allows valuable urban space to be used to for people, not just cars. What is the current capacity and usage of the parking deck at Crayola for instance?
Robin,
1) You and I both know there are no top rate shuttle services in the LV.
2. The proposed parking deck is an efficient use of urban space. The parking deck is proposed right next to a cliff. Practically nothing else could be built there. Moreover, it enables the county to expand its prison and courthouse internally, without any need to knock down surrounding homes. It provides quick and easy access instead of parking a mile away. Disabled people and the elderly would essentially be denied courthouse access if forced to park too far away.
Having said that, your option should not be readily dismissed.
I was just down there. Pulled right into a parking spot no problem. What's the problem again? Fiefdom?
Hayshaker,
I'm happy you found a spot, but that's not reality. if you go there with any frequency, you have to see that. Parking is at a premium down there.
Bernie,
1. the elderly and disabled have limited access because of poor transit, not because of poor parking.
2. give me 36 million and I will give you a great shuttle that connects not only the courthouse to existing parking all over the city, but also to College Hill and South Easton. In fact, give me the budget for proposed parking garages in Bethlehem as well as the budget for the bottomless pit known as the American parkway and I will give you a top rate transit system for the whole valley. We need to stop putting band aids on this problem. Building parking garages is not a comprehensive transportation plan. Its a ticket to more congestion, more failing infrastructure, and more pollution.
Anonymous said...
I must say John Todaro was right. He kept saying that NC sould buy the Larry Holmes building for the extra office space and ample parking there. Any kind of expansion plan at the NC govornment center is a joke at best. Build some offices at the Gracedale location also to do more out of towner requests and do more operations by mail and the internet. It is parking at the NCGC that is the problem, not the volume of requests. 33 million to park there would be a slap in the face of every citizen in NC because 99% of these people are the same ones who park there every day. They are the 99% who are crying about parking. I will bet you that 80% of the citizens of NC have never even been to the NCGC. If these people who park there every day can't find a spot... let them walk a few blocks and save the taxpayers $$33,000,000
11:06 AM
Robin,
With respect to your first point, you are mistaken. The parking for the diasbaled and elderly is a big problem in NC. Many of the disabled parking places are set quite a distance from the ridiclously placed rotunda. A parking garage will provide easier access.
With respect to your second point, why not come up a solution? You claim that, for the price of a seven-level parking garage, you can come up with a solution to the county's very real parking problem. OK, then do it. Don't tell me about the American parkway, just come up with an answer that people will support. You may be right. It might be possible to use parking elsewhere and ship people in. Where? Who is going to be this magical super shuttle?
We have done that in the past, and it has pretty much been an expensive disaster. I agree we need a better transit system and that we need to drive less. We don't have even one bike rack outside the courthouse, and those who do ride bikes are criticized for cleaning themselves in the restrooms.
But I encourage you to come up with a plan.
Anon 11:06,
It is obvious that those who use the facilities the most would be most impacted by its shortcomings. Parking is a big one. That is the county seat and MUST be accessible to one and all, including those who never have to go there. I cannot begin to tell you the number of good people - mostly seniors - who are hopelessly confused when they go there. They can't park. Then they can't find a way in. Instead of encouraging access, it is set up in such a way that it discourages people from going there.
I think it is a slap across the face of taxpayers that the government's own facilities are largely unavailable to the public it ostensibly serves. That has to change, not for the convenience of the employee, but for the taxpaying public.
Again, I have no idea what you are talking about. I parked, I walked, I entered. I'm not seeing this huge problem. I also had jury duty and had no problem then either.
It sounds like a total waste of money. It'd be NICE, don't get me wrong, but lots of things would be nice.
Hayshaker,
I am a person who visits the courthouse every day. Believe me when I tell you that parking is a major problem there. Your own experience is not what most people find, and things are going to get worse, not better.
Like Maverick said, if you do something right, you only nered do them once. Are you waiting for the parking garage to cave in on someone?
The county government has an obnligation to be accessible., So far, that parking garage is the best idea out there, and it solves a few other concerns, too.
sounds like a terrific idea to me. makes sense.thaanks for keeping us informed. how is hickey any how. gotta love that guy.
I love the photo you have for the new parking building, but won't pass our current council.
1. Too practical, they will come up with an even more expensive solution
2. Too phallic looking. It'll create size envy.
O_o
Again, more free parking at the Northampton County Governemnt Center than most County's.
I still would like to see the engineers report claiming the old deck is 'unsafe'. If that is the case why are we leting employees park there?
Taxpayer alert on this one.
If you'd like to see it, then go to the government center, try and find a place to park, and go see it. It is a matter of public record. That parking deck has two years to go before it becomes London Bridge ... falling down.
As far as free parking goes, it should be as easy to access ytour government as is possible.
In response to anon 9:27 pm...
ever park in the parking deck?? Try it.......the entire structure makes your car shake like its in the middle of an earthquake when someone drives past........I don't need to see any reports to tell me it's unsafe it's pretty obvious--well, obvious to someone with any intelligence that is.
2nd--I see where this idea sounds pretty smart compared to past proposals (pricey, but with more common sense than "normal" for this silly county) but I have a hard time seeing this spot large enough to pull off such an enormous deck........
last,
speaking of common sense and the other comments posted here, who is the genius engineer who put the entrance of the rotunda so far away from the parking anyway?? We have so many elderly (not handicapped since they have some designated parking, elderly) taxpayers come to our office huffing and puffing complaining about what a hard time they had getting to the entrance just to walk all the way back around to the other side of the building to get to the elevators......why would the county do such a miserable thing to its own homeowners for??? Just about everyone who comes into the office the first time has enough brains to see how stupid the structure is, why couldn't "they" prior to wasting taxpayer money to build it?? I agree it is a slap in the face, it is not the transportation but the parking......but millions into the hole it's too late now to change the location of the entrance.......
for once I would like to see the county have and apply a "bright" idea for the benefit of everyone and to also potentially try to save money and space for the future.........
I understand Phase 3 of this parking plan is to move county council onto the deck.
the Wayne Grube Memorial Parking Spot
In response to the Administration and Propaganda Minister O'Hare,
Yes I park at the Court House regularly. No I have no problems finding a spot. I may not be under the deck like the judges or even on the deck but across the street. Neat thing is its 'FREE'. Get free parking in Lehigh County, even if you are an employee.
Or even Bucks or Montgomery. This sounds like the new project in the Stoffa project of the month show.
This project has the common sense of a Dick Chenney planned war.
Yeah, but I'm not taslking about people who park at 12:51 AM. I'm talking about people who park at 12:51 PM. Unless you're the luckiest guy in the world, you're gonna' have a hard time.
may its a little bit too much just for a parking deck? how many cars do you think could fit in those? hmmm
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