Busineses in Downtown Bryan react to Mayor’s statement

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Businesses in Downtown Bryan shared their thoughts on Friday about a statement released by the city on Thursday regarding their parking concerns.

Since the start of the year, KBTX has spoken with several businesses about challenges for their customers to find a parking spot in front of their stores. Some have attributed the issues to new office space downtown, which they say has brought in workers who are filling the lots. In the city’s statement on Thursday, Mayor Bobby Gutierrez said the city is working to address those issues as quickly as possible for all those who visit downtown.

Part of the city’s solution will be to create an ad hoc Downtown Parking Committee with members from each stakeholder group such as visitors, residents, retail merchants and business offices.

“I‘ve asked former Mayor Andrew Nelson to Chair this committee and he has agreed to volunteer his time to help us. Andrew represents the needs of our visitors through his service on the Destination Bryan board and his distinguished service as our former Mayor. His extensive global travel and experience in various parking environments around the world will bring us a broad perspective,” Gutierrez said in the statement.

Caffe Capri is just one of several businesses in downtown Bryan that have shared frustration over parking, and it’s been an issue ever since they opened up with many cars, who aren’t customers, parked at the business starting at 8 a.m. and not moving till 5 p.m.

“I’ve been here almost 29 years and honestly parking has always been an issue for downtown,” Caffe Capri owner Rami Cerone said. ”You can’t just come to downtown and expect to park in front of the business you’re going to so you usually have to park a block away to get to the businesses and that’s been the biggest issue in the last 29 years.”

Cerone said it’s great to hear the mayor announce a committee to look into the issue and help fix it, but he’s not convinced there’s a great solution.

“I think they did well by building two parking lots. I think bigger signage somewhere, ‘free parking over there, one block away’ just to let people who aren’t familiar with downtown that circle the block once or twice and giving up, they know there is free parking and there are spots available,” Cerone said.

Bird’s Nest Gifts and Antiques co-owner Chrissy Sayers also said her business has struggled with parking over the 9 years they’ve been in town, but they are encouraged that a committee will be looking into it and even have some thoughts on potential solutions.

“I think that retail, restaurants, the parking signs should be enforced in front of them. The 90-minute, the 2-hour parking should just be enforced to help our retail establishment get that traffic moving so new customers can come in,” Sayers said. “I know that our mayor really loves downtown and I hope the committee comes to a quick and easy solution.”

In the statement, Gutierrez said the city has invested time and money over the years to fix the issue, but there might not be a solution to meet everyone’s wishes. What might seem like a solution for some businesses, might negatively impact others. Gutierrez added “I do not believe we have a parking problem in downtown, I believe we have a walking problem. Any successful downtown urban area involves some form of walking to desired destinations.”

Sayers says she agrees with the mayor that there is a “walking problem” but wants the community to come together to address the issue.

“The problem is, is it going to be our out-of-town customers that may be lost and just trying to enjoy our downtown, is it going to be someone to stop in for a quick bit to eat during lunch hour or is it going to be somebody parked in the spot eight to five Monday through Friday? I feel like maybe the people who are here all the time and know their way around should walk an extra couple of blocks for the good of our downtown,” Sayers said.

Not far down the road, Texas Rose Boutique’s general manager Scott Catalena said his concern is that walking might not be an option for everyone, especially older couples and families.

“We spend a lot of time walking people and you know if they’re buying a lot of stuff we’ll just help them try and get to where they need to go just to make it a little bit easier on them,” Catalena said.

The City of Bryan said they would not do interviews before the committee was formed stating: “We do not want to get ahead of the new committee that is currently being formed, who will be tasked with continuing the city’s efforts, research and engagement in establishing solutions that will be in the best interest of all parties.”