Ocean Grove, NJ beach. November 2020. Paul Goldfinger photograph. M246 M. © See our recent articles about the crosses on 2021 season beach badges.
By Paul Goldfinger, Blogfinger Editor.
The title above is from the Coaster (3/12/21) whose reporter is quoting OGCMA President Michael Badger.
This parking “study” was due to be completed in 2020, but a public appearance by the Kimley-Horn experts last year indicated that they were having trouble dealing with OG’s myriad parking issues.
Here is a link to our detailed July 2020 piece about this topic:
It is amazing that the CMA thinks that it can come up with something that will satisfy everyone. And, they seem to assume that their plan will be implemented. Have they forgotten that they no longer run this town? Or maybe the Neptuners will stay in the shadows, hiding from this issue.
The only certainty revealed so far is that timed parking should be implemented in the Main Avenue shopping zone—a good idea, but it is only helpful to merchants and shoppers. At the same time, it will reduce available parking for beach goers, but any solution will impact certain factions, one way or another.
The real problem is the failure to formally recognize that the supply of parkers must be looked at along with the supply of parking spaces. And especially there is the problem of excess numbers of tourists—too many for a small beach town which is no longer a single minded religious mecca as it was until 1979-80.
The CMA should not be doing this project because they have a huge conflict of interest. According to the Coaster, Badger said that ‘the CMA is following protocol’ and involving and working with the township and community leaders while the final touches are being put on the plan.”
Who do you suppose are the “community leaders” mentioned above? Evidently he means the Chamber of Commercials, the no better Parking Alliance, and the Home Groaners. Who appointed them as “community leaders?” Where are the leaders who would represent the tax-paying residents* in town?
The virus issue is now superimposed on our parking scenario, but it will eventually be solved.
However, for now, how will the consultants factor that into their plan, or will they simple ignore it? Or will their plan act as if the COVID-related decrease in tourists and cars can be factored in to create a distorted picture for the future.
In the last year, since last March, Blogfinger.net has posted 5 articles about this problem. One is above. You can find the others by using the search box above right. Type in “parking plan or parking consultants.”
“Don’t Be that Way.” By Benny Goodman and his orchestra:
*Our definition of “residents” includes all who live here, full or part time. And when we say “tax paying residents” we include renters whose rents include “pass-throughs” for taxes. —PG