During last week’s Mitchell City Council meeting, the council discussed Main Street parking. The discussion took place while the council was considering action to approve an agreement with McLaury Engineering for the downtown Streetscape Project at 2nd, 4th, and Railroad Avenues.
At a previous meeting, Councilman Dan Sabers noted the lack of parking spots at certain times in downtown Mitchell and worried that the Streetscape Project would compound that problem. Councilman Kevin McCardle suggested the city look into changing downtown to diagonal parking. The change would mean the center lane would be lost. Although the lane is not needed for motorists due to the elimination of traffic lights, delivery trucks still use the lane. City Public Works Director Joe Schroeder says a study could be done fairly quickly to find out how many parking spots would be gained.
Mitchell Main Street and Beyond was asked to do an informal survey of its members for feedback on the potential change.
Councilman Marty Barington recalled a previous study that was done regarding downtown parking, saying it didn’t add as many spots as had been hoped due to handicap parking requirements.
The council approved the Streetscape Project agreement with McLaury Engineering for $177,895.