The City of Key West is holding a Workshop meeting Wednesday June 21st, 5:30 PM at City Hall, 1300 White Street. The public is asked to give their three minute comments, ideas and solutions to issues ranging from parking garages and shuttle and bus transportation to on street parking and ride share companies. We are looking forward to an interesting evening.
Transportation Workshop June 21
Last Stand spoke for our membership at the workshop. We gave opinions why Old Town parking garages are not the best use of scarce staff resources and taxpayer funds:
(1) The business community clearly understands that the highest and best use of Old Town real estate is not for parking lots,
(2) The business community has contributed to the shortage of parking by years of requesting parking waivers,
(3) The city’s bonding authority should be reserved for the highest priority – development of workforce housing for those earning less than Area Median Income.
Last Stand is pleased that the commission accepted our recommendation to quickly decide against building the parking lot at 609 Greene St. so that the lease with Conch Republic Seafood Company can be renewed (it expired a few months back). We are also happy that the lease will allow for the storage and repair space necessary to support the Conch fisherman who has been in that spot since before the City owned Key West Bight.
At the 8-15-17 city commission meeting, a board was established to deal with parking, transportation congestion and transportation issues. It will sunset 180 days after the first meeting. Several concerned citizens, including Richard Talmadge and Eric Detweiler spoke at the meeting and several commissioners appeared interested to appoint them to the temporary board.
Meetings will be in the sunshine and open to public participation.