 I'm sure all of you share with me fond memories of playing Monopoly as a child (or maybe as an adult). But there was always some wonder as to what, exactly, was represented by the "Free Parking" space. In my family's edition of Monopoly, we always deposited the fines levied by the "Chance" and "Community Chest" on the "Free Parking" space. These windfall profits were awarded to the first person to land, by exact roll of the dice, directly on "Free Parking." Well, similarly to this twist of classic Monopoly, the value of free parking can be something much more than zero! And at their last meeting, in response to a longstanding concern of Temple City's business community, the City Council voted to construct more free parking within our City.
As I have shared with you in past editions of the Focus, the City Council has been working very hard on new and creative ways to revitalize our downtown business corridor along Las Tunas Drive. Many different avenues are currently being explored and. we hope, will bring some diversity amongst our downtown businesses in the near future. However, I am pleased to announce the Council's unanimous decision to take the first step in directly solving a long-standing problem in town: the low supply of parking.
On Tuesday, February 19, 2002, the City Council approved a contract for design and engineering of a new municipal parking lot to be located at the corner of Sultana Avenue and Las Tunas Drive. As many community members may have noticed, the City recently completed some rough grading and the installation of a base layer to allow temporary parking on the site formerly occupied by some apartments and a motor vehicle registration office. The contract approved by the Council on February 19, 2002 approved a conceptual plan for the permanent parking lot. Numerous trees and shrubs will be planted throughout the parking lot to enhance its visual appeal. At the corner of Sultana and Las Tunas, an arched trellis will be supported by four vine-draped columns. The pavement will be decorated with a circular pattern and the center of the trellis will display a copy of our City's beautiful seal with an invitation to motorist and pedestrians alike: "Welcome to Temple City."
So, Just as the Council asked at the February 19, 2002 meeting, how can this be truly free parking? Well, it's not really free, but it does get as close as you can get to free! In its approval action, the Council also directed that a federal grant be pursued. In the past, Temple City has not been able to satisfy the never-ending list of federal requirements to utilize this money on our own. However, this parking lot project has been preliminarily approved as eligible for federal funds. The engineering company selected by the Council will also be charged with "jumping through all of the hoops" and pursuing final approval from the Federal and State government. If successful (and it looks like the City will be!), the parking lot costs (including the design and engineering fees) will qualify for federal funding! This saves your hard-earned local tax money for other important programs like parks and recreation (a program which does not qualify for this type of federal funding).
We at the City are very excited at this first step! If you would be interested in seeing a color rendering of the proposed lot, please feel free to stop by City Hall. If you have any questions about the parking lot project, please call City Hall at (626) 285-2171.
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