I have had several questions about the change in the center of the Village from angle parking to parallel parking. Why did we get rid of parking is the question and the answer is we are not getting rid of parking. We are rearranging it.
Chimney Rock Village is blessed with many things, but a wide Main Street is not one of them. We have limited space to work with and we have more and more visitors and tourists every year. We want everyone to be able to walk around our Village and enjoy their visit safely and comfortably.
The old sidewalks were too narrow, too dangerous, had too many obstacles, and left too much to be desired. It was impossible to have a wheelchair or stroller on the sidewalk in places and many times people walked behind the parked cars along the highway right next to the traffic. Large cars and trucks often stuck 2 – 3 feet into the highway causing traffic problems and creating safety issues.
The new streetscape has changed all of that, turning a negative into a huge positive for pedestrians, strollers, wheelchairs, and anyone who likes to have a little space to move around in comfortably. I have seen mechanized wheelchairs, double strollers, and people able to walk side by side on the new sidewalk. None of that was possible last summer.
Every store affected by this project now has an ADA accessible entrance. Almost none of them did last summer. It was dusty and dirty for a while, but the changes are a huge improvement and the visitors enjoying the sidewalk will vouch for that. An added benefit is no more car bumpers and truck trailer hitches sticking out into traffic.
As for parking, the Village is actively building our capacity for parked cars. We bought 5 acres on the west edge of downtown several years ago and this area will be used for a 175 to 200 car parking lot soon. This will be a net gain of about 150 parking spots, so no, we are not losing parking. We have gained walkability and will soon gain parking as well.
Speaking of parking, the main parking lot (#1) has a new gate with a new credit card reader connected via cable. This has encouraged customers to use the touchless credit card reader and really speeds up the time it takes to exit the lot. The new “lot full” sign will also direct customers to lot 2 and help guide visitors around the Village to the best parking spots for them.
Please keep me posted as to any changes, news, or information you would like me to include in future Village reports. You can email me at bubbaolearys@bellsouth.net or call 828-625-2479. You may also contact any of your Council Members; Peter O’Leary, April Schick, Buck Meliski, Bruce Godzik, and Bill Robeson with any concerns or questions.
Remember the Chimney Rock Village Council always meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm in the Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department building (unless a special meeting is called or the Council votes to change a particular date). These meetings are open to the public. Please contact Peter O’Leary 828-545-1243 or Village Clerk, Steve Duncan 828-777-5718 if you have any questions or concerns.