Parking meter proposal on agenda for downtown redevelopment meeting

Business owner Jerry Martin is concerned about how downtown parking is addressed in the proposed redevelopment plan.

"Parking is a big issue downtown and it always has been," said Martin, owner of Hobbyland, 616 N. Main St.

A meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at State Farm Insurance Cos. downtown building. Representatives from the Downtown Bloomington Association and plan creators Farr Associates will be available to take comments and answer questions about the proposal, which was introduced Sept. 30.

Among ideas is the addition of parking meters. Doug Farr suggested more parking spots would see more turnover with metered parking.

The blocks of Jefferson, Center, Washington and Main streets, around the Mclean County Museum of History, are among several with heavy use of parking spaces.

"Parking meters are not necessarily a big city thing," Farr said recently. "We want to do it for better parking management."

Money from the meters would help pay for downtown improvements, although it's unclear how much it would cost to implement the 150-page plan. It includes suggestions for changing the one-way streets into two-way, including the YMCA in the district and easing navigation for walkers and bicyclists.

Martin, a member of the DBA board, said the board is pleased with the plan but "there is always room for improvement."

"I hope people with concerns attend this meeting," Martin said. "This isn't the final draft."

DBA Executive Director Erika Kubsch said there is no timeline set for the plan to go before the Bloomington City Council.

What: Downtown Bloomington Association meeting for public comment on the proposed redevelopment plan.

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 13).

Where: State Farm Insurance Cos. downtown building, 112 E. Washington St., Bloomington.