Parking plan gets the Denver boot

By Nick Grabbe
Staff Writer

Published on July 20, 2007

Town Manager Laurence Shaffer has proposed a new 400-space parking garage on a Spring Street site owned by Amherst College.

But Anthony Marx, president of the college, said he "wants to put the concept on hold and leave it there for a while," Shaffer said.

Stacey Schmeidel, director of public affairs at the college, said such a proposal is "a major project that would require a lot of analysis from the college, and that tends to take time."

Shaffer first discussed the concept with Marx last October. He had heard that Amherst College was considering an expansion and upgrade of the Lord Jeffery Inn, and thought there would be increased demand for parking in the vicinity, he said.

"The single most important component of any type of development is parking," Shaffer said. "They want a top-flight facility to accommodate guests and trustees."

The site, which is a parking lot, is just east of the college's Alumni House and across Spring Street from the rear of First Congregational Church. Shaffer proposed that the town build and operate a parking structure there that could support both expanded college-related and downtown activities, he said.

Shaffer envisioned the proposed garage as a multipurpose transportation facility, with a bus depot, lockers, restrooms and storage space for bicycles. He liked the site's proximity to downtown and lack of nearby houses, he said.

Much of the opposition to the Boltwood Walk Parking Garage came from its residential neighbors. Some residents and business owners have said that it does not have enough spaces to satisfy demand for parking.

Shaffer said he's now looking at other locations. He was impressed that Marx gave his idea ample consideration, he said.

"They have so much up in the air with construction on campus," he said. "They're a great partner. I'm pleased they're engaged in a conversation to seek out opportunities that benefit us mutually."