BRIGHTON — As new developments are announced in and around downtown Brighton, locals are concerned about parking access.
The city lost 61 public parking spaces after DA Building purchased several buildings and lots near Main Street. But some of that loss was recovered after the Brighton DDA approved a lease with Preview Properties for 44 spaces at the northwest corner of E. St. Paul Street and N. East Street.
City Manager Gretchen Gomolka told The Daily in April she expects Brighton City Council to continue discussing how to increase public parking at future meetings.
In the meantime, Gomolka wants visitors and residents to be aware of existing parking options. In a recent interview, she told The Daily that public parking spaces remain free for all, and she feels the city is well prepared for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
There are currently 663 public parking spaces in 17 lots, plus an additional 300 on-street spaces in the downtown area.
“The holidays are always a bustling time, and we enjoy the vibrant atmosphere downtown,” Gomolka said.
An interactive parking map is available at brightoncity.org.
“The downtown is quite small, and all of our parking lots are just a few minutes’ walk from Main Street,” Gomolka said. “Historically, we have not had complaints about parking during the holiday shopping season.”
According to Gomolka, city employees arranged for Google to add the public lots to Google Maps, so those in town can find available spots by searching “parking near me.”
— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.