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Council asks staff for cost estimate on turning Collins lot into a public parking area
Summary
Members discussed the narrow Collins lot, whether the city should provide downtown parking, and directed staff to return cost estimates; some councilors expressed opposition to spending public funds to provide private-business parking.
At the work session, councilors reviewed options for the Collins lot (a narrow gravel space currently used informally for parking) and asked staff for a cost estimate to convert it into a formal parking area. Staff reported the lot is currently gravel and narrow with room for about eight or nine spaces; public works staff will check whether the lot can be striped, whether ADA spaces are required, and the estimated construction cost.
Councilors debated whether the city should build and finance parking that primarily benefits downtown businesses. Some members argued private businesses should provide parking while others said limited public parking can support harbor and tourist uses and could be funded from harbor user fees or urban renewal dollars. One councilor asked staff to obtain a total cost estimate (including potential ADA accommodation, surfacing and striping) and to investigate whether the lot could integrate with adjacent public infrastructure to increase capacity.
Next step: staff will report back with a cost estimate and options (gravel-and-stripe versus paved with ADA accommodations) for council consideration; no funding decision was made at the work session.
