MORGANTOWN — “Long story short,” Dana McKenzie concluded Tuesday, “We’re just looking for a home.”
McKenzie, Director of the Morgantown Parking Authority, appeared before Morgantown City Council on Tuesday to explain the space crunch facing his department, and offer a solution.
“We have discussed a maintenance shop, break area type location for 15 years at least,” he said. “In the beginning it was more of a want, now it’s become a need.”
McKenzie said the parking authority — and in particular its equipment — have outgrown the patchwork of locations it currently utilizes. It will lose one of those four spots in the coming months as renovations to city hall will push personnel out of the building’s lower level.
The parking authority also has its office area in the public safety building as well as two small garages located in the University Avenue and Wharf District parking structures.
As a potential solution, McKenzie offered turning an 83×62 foot street-level section on the corner of the University Avenue Parking Garage into a roughly 5,000 square-foot multipurpose space to be utilized primarily for maintenance, but also as a storage facility and employee break area.
He said bonds tied to the Spruce Street and Wharf District parking garages have been paid off, meaning there are funds available to take on a new project.
While council seemed unanimous that the parking authority needs the additional space, members questioned whether the proposed location in the parking garage would be sufficient, and for how long.
Questions were also raised about the possibility of the parking authority moving into space utilized by other city departments or even the feasibility of a new, standalone facility.
“I want to help as much as we can, but I would hate to think too small and leave you guys stuck in another small spot,” Councilor Joe Abu-Ghannam said.
McKenzie said he would keep council updated as discussions progressed.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We’re just getting started.”
