Council holds lakeside session on parking
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A proposed new parking lot in a lawn near Wright Park in Dunkirk would contain 40 spaces and use an overlay of pavers to keep it a green area.
The city's Common Council met in workshop session at the site, between Serval and Ocelot streets next to Lakefront Boulevard, to hear Department of Public Works Director Randy Woodbury explain the plan.
Several neighbors opposed to the lot listened as well. The new parking was approved unanimously by council last year, but First Ward Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak withdrew her support after hearing complaints from people in the neighborhood about the planned lot.
"What generated the idea is public safety, the police and fire chiefs (David Ortolano and Michael Edwards) would like to have more parking down here," Woodbury said.
He added, "If we're going to build it, I recommend a green parking lot, so it environmentally looks the same. … If you get about 40 parking spaces in here, the entrance would be between those two trees (off Ocelot Street)."
Woodbury envisions a lot 65 feet wide by 200 feet long with two rows of parking. The surface would be "pavers where grass can go through it, (DPW) can mow over top of that and then if you drive on it, it wouldn't sink in."
Luczkowiak wondered if there could be signage to direct people to parking and lakeside attractions. Woodbury said such signs can only be added by police order.
DPW Deputy Director Mike Przybycien said Ortolano wanted it known that a police study was done on the local traffic flow issue, and the chief recommends both the lot and a crosswalk across Serval Street near its intersection with Lakefront Boulevard.
Councilman-at-large David Damico shared remarks from Fire Chief Edwards, who said he was "in favor of doing something down there to alleviate what I saw as a public safety issue. I observed several instances where the upper section of Lakefront was so congested that we would be unable to get emergency vehicles through."
Councilwoman Nancy Nichols said, "DPW has done a lot of legwork on this. … This was not just a fly by night thought that we had."
The meeting lasted less than 10 minutes and several nearby residents attempted to speak as it ended. Damico did not let them, saying it was a workshop and therefore there was no time for public comment on the agenda. However, he agreed to listen to their concerns after closing the meeting.
"I'm disappointed that we have neighbors here who may be impacted with these decisions that are being made … and not allow them to voice opinion (during the workshop) is, in my opinion, counterproductive," said Mayor Wilfred Rosas.
One neighbor expressed concern the city would spend money on a lot that will be used only three months out of the year. Another worried that a new lot would actually add to safety issues near the Serval/Lakefront intersection.
A man offered to set up a committee to add shrubs and trees to the green space between Serval and Ocelot, instead of a parking lot.
The conversation ended up turning to general complaints about the Wright Park area. One man criticized the placement of a restaurant that serves alcohol just feet away from sprinklers and splash pads intended for children.