Should Moorestown Make 'Substantial Investment' to Fix Parking?

A parking fix for downtown Moorestown will have to wait a little longer while the township takes care of more pressing matters, but officials say it’s still on their radar.

Township manager Scott Carew and council broached the subject of downtown parking Monday—specifically the parking improvement plan prepared, and presented, by Taylor Design Group last year.

The plan, which proposed improvements to the municipal lot behind Peter Pan/PNC Bank and connecting the private lots between Second and Main, among other things, would cost an estimated $5.8 million. That price tag is the biggest impediment to progress, at least in the immediate future.

“It was one of those things where it was a great idea, but there was obviously a substantial investment to be made,” said Carew.

Mayor Stacey Jordan agreed, citing a number of other “higher priority infrastructure projects” on the township’s plate, chiefly the completion of the new town hall.

Council briefly discussed splitting the project into two parts: the municipal lot improvements (an estimated $1.6 million) and the upgrades to the private lots (an estimated $4.2 million), the latter of which would require public-private partnerships.

Carew also told council that Police Director Harry Johnson has been exploring options for improving metered parking on Main Street—including kiosks and upgrades to the existing meters—and mentioned that a number of business owners support working meters on Main Street.

According to Jordan, the number of business owners who have mentioned parking as a major concern during council’s recent business outreach tour is about “half and half.”

She said the business community is concerned about “a variety of things,” ranging from parking to people putting their trash out on the sidewalk too early.

Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano also suggested the township could alleviate some of the downtown parking issues with added signage, “which is a much smaller investment.”

Council didn’t take any action on the matters brought up during the parking discussion, but members said it could be revisited in the spring, once town hall is complete.