Village dilemma: More loading zones mean less parking

Warwick — More people shopping in the village means businesses are doing well. When businesses do well, they have a bigger turnover of goods. A win-win for everyone. But that also means more deliveries. Anyone who shops downtown knows that trying to find a parking spot can be a challenge. Talk to shop owners and they’ll tell you that trying to get their deliveries can be just as arduous. What is the village to do? Village Trustee Bill Iurato, who is liaison to the merchants, is trying to alleviate the problem with the help of his fellow board members. The need is on West Street and around the area on Main Street near West. “The biggest user is Halligan’s,” said Iurato, referring to the popular restaurant on West Street. “They get several deliveries each week.” Iurato mentioned the option of removing four meters alongside Halligan’s on Spring Street. Also suggested was putting a loading zone on Main Street, in front of the Mason’s Building, which houses Liz’s Jewelry Store. That would take out three to four parking spots on Main Street, a valuable commodity in a village already hurting for spots. Less-used areas for parking, such as West Street past Halligan’s and going up the hill, were also mentioned by Iurato. “We can consider taking out meters up the hill on West Street instead of on Spring or lower West Street,” he suggested. Railroad Avenue also has the need for a loading zone, but not as acute a need right now as the businesses in the West Street area. On Railroad, there is a driveway area near the Eclectic Eye that serves the purpose. Making it a permanent one would mean the loss of two spaces. The board members are meeting at the sites to see what would be lost and gained by making any changes. No action will be taken until that occurs.