Published: November 29, 2018

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HAS HIRED CONSULTANTS TO SOLVE PARKING PROBLEMS IN IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THE DAILY HERALD REPORTS, J T TEAGUE ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING MET WITH LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS AND MAURY COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS ON TUESDAY TO LEARN ABOUT THE ONGOING ISSUES. A MAJORITY OF THE CONCERNS STEEM FROM THE GROWING POPULARITY OF DOWNTOWN AND BUSINESSES ON OR NEAR THE MAURY COUNTY COURTHOUSE SQUARE. CUSTOMERS AND TOURISTS HAVE HAD TROUBLE FINDING PARKING SPACES AND SOME DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN ATTRACTING RESIDENTIAL CLIENTS WHO WANT TO RENT OR OWN TOP FLOORS FOR APARTMENTS. THERE IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY OF A BOUTIQUE HOTEL GOING INTO THE TOP FLOOR OF THE WESTBURY HOUSE. THE COMPANY WAS PAID 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS THROUGH A FEDERAL GRANT AND MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE CITY AND WILL LOOK AT ON STREET PARKING AND DESIGNATED PARKING LOTS AND WILL STUDY HOW LONG CARS ARE STAYING AND HOW FREQUENTLY THE SPACES ARE ROLLING OVER. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT SHORT AND SIMPLE RECOMMENDATIONS MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY, SUCH AS BETTER SIGNAGE, LIGHTING OR PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT ON USING EXISTING LOTS. THE CITY AND COUNTY WILL WORK TOGETHER TO FIND LONG TERM SOLUTIONS WHICH COULD POSSIBLY BE A PARKING GARAGE.