The Maple Parking Lot Renovation is an effort by the City to modernize the form and function of one of our more active public parking lots.
Located on the corner of Fifth Avenue East and King Street, the lot serves City Hall and a variety of businesses on the north end of Main Street. The renovation will focus on improving three primary components of the lot; vehicular and pedestrian safety, ease of use, and maintenance.
The renovation will achieve these improvements through enhancements to the layout of the lot, including the addition of van accessible handicap spaces and pedestrian aisles all while maintaining existing lot capacity. In addition, new landscaping selected for its adaptability to the urban environment along with improved lighting and signage will enhance the visibility and safety of the lot.
Of significant interest to our downtown visitors will be the introduction of the first parking pay station. Designed to provide additional options for payment and facilitate the improved management of our parking resources, the pay station will allow visitors to the lot to use coins, bills, credit cards and potentially a pay by phone option. We are excited to be testing this new technology and look forward to your feedback regarding its use in the lot.
As previously stated, City staff is preparing to begin work on or around February 16. We plan to complete most of the work during the morning hours and open the parking lot for use by the public in the afternoons. We will follow this process as long as possible in hopes of lessening the impact on nearby businesses while completing the work.
The anticipated schedule is as follows (weather permitting):
Week one: Feb. 16 – Remove Sweet Gum Trees and stumps, backfill holes
Week two: Feb. 23 – Remove curbs and sidewalks around the lot, remove parking meters
Week three: March 2 – Prep for new trees and shrubs, install conduit for new decorative lights
Week four: March 9 – Install bases for new lights, install new curb and driveway on King Street and new driveway on Edwards Alley – close 5th Avenue driveway
Week five: March 16 – Install new sidewalks on King Street and 5th Avenue, install new pay station
Week six: March 23 – Resurface the parking lot and restripe the parking spaces, install new signage
Week seven: March 30 – Reserved for weather delays.
For questions or comments about the project, please contact Tom Wooten at 828-697-3084 or[email protected].