GR Planning Commission approves temporary parking at Fulton and Division

by Deborah Johnson Wood

Many downtown business owners consider a temporary surface parking lot on a high traffic corner of the city to be the solution for putting a vacant parcel to temporary use. Those businesses showed their support for the proposed lot at South Division and West Fulton at last Thursday's Grand Rapids Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Commission voted to waive certain zoning requirements for a maximum of two years and allow construction of the lot.

Dan Gendler represented the Downtown Alliance, a Business Improvement District whose members consist of downtown property and business owners. Gendler owns San Chez Bistro and Mezzé Café and Cabaret, which are located across the street from the lot. He spoke to the Planning Commission in support of the temporary lot as both a representative of the Downtown Alliance and as a business owner.

"There's a lot of good that could come from having some parking there," Gendler said. "Having a business right next to it, it's more detrimental to have a space that's rutted and muddy versus a temporary paved lot. It's going to be an eyesore whether parking is there or not. The only difference is having rutted-out grass and mud versus asphalt, people, and cars."

For months, setbacks in the construction of a $20 million mixed use facility planned for the site have kept developers 2 West Fulton LLC from moving forward with construction. That has kept the parcel vacant and unused. The developers hope to close on the property this summer and begin construction this fall.

The zoning waivers release the city from having to provide the landscaping, screening, and bicycle parking spaces required for permanent lots. This will help keep construction costs within the estimated $100,000 budget. The 98-space lot will need to operate a minimum of six months to recoup the expenses.

"If everything falls into place," said Parking System Director Pam Ritsema, "we'd like it to be completed by May 1."

Ritsema still needs to present the matter to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval. They have turned down the request once before. Ritsema will present the matter to the HPC as soon as they can get it on their agenda.

Ritsema also plans to speak with the developers to get a better idea of their plans and the timeframes they are considering.

Source: Pam Ritsema, Grand Rapids Parking System; Grand Rapids Planning Commission February 22, 2007 meeting;