Support grows for public parking garage

OXFORD » A Borough Council Work Session, Mon., July 8 continued discussion of parking. Parking revenues, enforcement, permits and the parking garage all continue to generate debate.

Some of the answers will become clearer at council’s next meeting, July 15, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Oxford Senior Center. At that time, there will be review and discussion of bids for construction of the parking garage.

The amount of the bids and the results of grant applications will give council the information needed to decide on the features the garage will include.

One known component is the new borough building which will be a part of the structure.

The borough had $1 million already available for a new home, which may be rolled into the funding for the garage. The completion of that building will make the current borough building available for sale, plus there would be two additional suites in the parking structure that could be rented for income.

The upper level of price for the garage is expected to be in the $7 million range, with about half of that already committed to the project in grant money. That could leave the borough looking at about $3 million for their share of the project, but additional grants, if received, could potentially cut the boroughs cost to $1 million or less.

Borough Manager Brian Hoover provided information on parking fee revenues that, when combined with related revenues, could cover a 20-year loan for the borough’s share of the garage.

After the review of the bids next week, the borough has 90 days to award the bids, but that could be extended another month if necessary. That gives the borough until September or October to vote on the project. If grant results are received earlier, that time line could be sped up.

Meanwhile, Oxford drivers are adapting to this year’s new parking fees on previously free lots. According to Hoover, in the entire year of 2016 parking fees generated about $30,000. In the past four months, March through June, parking meters, kiosks and permits have brought in $81,920.

Council member Peggy Russell commented that she is still hearing from residents who do not like the idea of building the parking garage. She and council member Robert Ketchum favor a public meeting but others cited the many meetings that have already been held on the subject.

“Every week we have the same discussions and I don’t know how to do it differently,” Council President Sue Lombardi said.

Anyone seeing additional information on the parking garage is encouraged to contact the mayor or a council member with their questions and comments.