Traffic spills over into residential areas during events in the central city
HUTTO — One-way streets, better intersections, sidewalks and more parking could transform the downtown district into a thriving business environment attracting more visitors, but a potential $42 million price tag has city leaders saying they need to make some tough decisions.
Also on the table: Asking folks to pay for parking, though several City Council members seem to want to put the brakes on that idea.
“We’re never going to get everyone happy with whatever we decide to do. I think if we really want Hutto to benefit and downtown to blossom, we have to find a way to get other people to stop leaving Hutto (for shopping and entertainment) and come into Hutto. It’s going to take something bold from the council,” said Mayor Mike Snyder.
City Engineer Matt Rector and Assistant to the City Manager Kate Moriarty during a workshop Jan. 23 gave a presentation on options to enhance the downtown district, known as Old Town.
Some issues have to do with the age of Old Town, built when streets were narrow, sidewalks weren’t considered a necessity and traffic significantly lower. Today the area comprises both residential and businesses living not quite
harmoniously. Estimates indicate total enhancements could top more than $40 million if they came to pass, but that figure is for road improvements only, officials said.
Heavy traffic has caused a daily concern for entering and exiting the area. And when the main business streets, East and Farley, are closed off for festivals, eventgoers end up parking along the narrow residential roads and walking in the streets.
“I don’t feel like the traffic flow is heavy enough to justify changing to one-way streets right now. I’m a proponent of inground utilities and having a sidewalk on at least one side of Old Town roads. Reconstruction of live oak is also a priority,” said Councilwoman Amberley Kolar, reacting to some staff suggestions. “The other thing is getting the Economic Development Corp. to pump in some in-fill development.”
Snyder agreed with the concept of adding economic development but said the lack of parking is hurting existing businesses and preventing new businesses from choosing to open in downtown.
“Every time I talk to people who own property downtown, they want more parking. There’s got to be more parking. They can’t make any businesses work because everybody says they need more parking,” he said.
The two main business streets, East and Farley, have 140 parking spaces available. Often these spaces are taken up by employees, leaving little parking for customers at peak shopping and dining times. And if one business has a special event, customers can monopolize the existing parking and have an impact on sales at other businesses.
Snyder said building a parking garage could significantly add more options, but even if the garage is constructed in collaboration with the EDC and landowners, there would have to be some way to pay for it, whether through taxes, paid parking or usage fees. In addition to a parking garage, the council heard suggestions for time-limited parking spots and pay-to-park options.
Not everyone agreed with the need to charge for parking or building a garage, with several council members saying they didn’t think the city was at that point yet.
“Downtown is not the life of the party. And we’re looking here to start charging for parking? I appreciate the thought and idea, but I don’t think we’re a mature enough town to even begin to have the discussion about charging for parking. We are looking to try and better the downtown and bring more things in,” said Councilman Brian Thompson.
“I agree with most people that there isn’t enough parking in downtown Hutto to support the many businesses that are already there or that would like to move there,” said Mayor Pro Tem Peter Gordon. “I don’t think paid parking is the answer because I think the problem can be solved in other ways.”
Gordon and Snyder were instrumental in encouraging business owners to create the Downtown Hutto Business Association, a group providing a conduit between the downtown business district and the city.
“I would like to see the DHBA meet over the next few weeks or months and then come to the city for further discussion before proposing solutions. This kind of partnership has a great potential for success,” Gordon said.
Longtime Hutto resident and former downtown business owner Perry Savard said collaboration between business owners, residents, the city and EDC is what will be needed to find a solution to Old Town’s parking woes.
“There doesn’t need to be opinions based solely on gut reactions. It has to be collaborative,” Savard said. “If you’re trying to revitalize the downtown area, why would you put roadblocks by having people pay to park downtown?”
