COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Two downtown Coldwater business owners spoke out against a plan to reduce parking spaces from 143 to 87 in the Chandler Plaza lot during the Wednesday meeting of the Downtown Development Authority Board.
Included in the plan for 87 spaces would be more green space and a festival area. Access from Division Street would also be closed off.
Coldwater City Planning and Zoning Administrator Dean Walrack said there would be rain gardens in the middle of the lot where most of the storm water will be managed.
Carl Thornton from the Broadway Grille pointed out that patrons want to park as close as possible to a business during the winter months.
Aaron Garn from Zeta One blasted the idea of reducing parking spaces, calling it a “terrible idea” and “ridiculous”.
An alternate plan has been drawn up that would have 120 parking spaces. No action has taken by the DDA board on either Chandler Plaza parking proposal.
