Lake access, parking among downtown concerns

Port Washington officials got a hand with their downtown and lakefront plans recently when roughly 50 people showed up to offer their opinions about what changes should be made to the central business district and marina area.

As in many things, their opinions varied, but the things they valued about the area were, for the most part consistent — views of the lake and the water itself, sunrises and fishing, restaurants and parks, and the small-town feel.

Some, however, said the downtown and lakefront feel like a “mishmash,” that the area is underutilized and the views they treasure are being hidden.

In lists written at five stations around the room and in response to questions during an interactive presentation, they listed concerns about access to the lakefront, parking issues, a loss of quaint architecture and lack of cohesive design, less than inviting businesses and overbuilding.

But some said they see downtown and the lakefront improving each year and lauded the fact that downtown is becoming busy again.

“I have lived here since 1984 and it’s finally becoming attractive to residents and visitors,” one person wrote.

Others lauded the fact the area is walkable and that there are more visitors, noting that will help businesses thrive.

They were asked opinions on five key issues — the marina and waterfront and how they define the city, the mix of commercial and residential uses to embrace the character of downtown, parking and traffic circulation to meet changing conditions downtown, making Coal Dock Park a year-round destination and the overall downtown district that extends beyond Franklin Street and Grand Avenue.

Asked what they want to see in five years, their suggestions ranged from a place to sail dinghies in the harbor and to rent kayaks to creating a district that honors Port’s historic fishing heritage and protects waterfront views.

Stronger connections between Franklin Street and the waterfront are needed, some said, while others wrote of the need to reclaim lost parking spots near the marina.

“It’s getting harder and harder to enjoy the marina,” one person wrote.

  In terms of parking, among the suggestions made were that the city negotiate the use of empty private parking lots in downtown on weekends, when the need is greatest, and construction of parking facilities with top floor patios for public use.

New developments, some wrote, should always include parking plans.

  Some suggested turning Main Street, particularly east of Franklin Street, into a pedestrian plaza, and others said more green space is needed.

Improvements to downtown intersections also need to be made, some said, noting that it’s difficult to turn onto Franklin Street because of the vehicles parked close to the intersections.

While some people spoke in favor of constructing a bridge between Coal Dock Park and Rotary Park, saying it would make Coal Dock more accessible, others vehemently disagreed.

“It’s not a far walk,” one person wrote. “Do not waste money connecting Coal Dock with a bridge.”

Several people suggested that the city limit the height of buildings, and a few said the city needs to control the look of businesses in the area, saying there should be a coordinated aesthetic to the lakefront and downtown.

Water quality was noted as a concern by some, while others spoke of the need to relocate the water treatment plant and create a designated swimming area.

Coal Dock Park is largely underused, many people agreed, and their suggestions for improving the area were varied — an outdoor theater, expanded harbor and parking, creating a place for tour boats to dock, creating a public building, planting evergreens and decking them with twinkle lights, and creating an artistic splash pad.

But a few people suggested that the park should remain largely as it is.

“Keep the large vista view of the lake. This is priceless,” one person wrote.

“Like Coal Dock as it is,” wrote another.

The responses collected at the workshop will be used by Graef, the city’s planning consultant, as it formulates a design plan for the downtown and lakefront.

A draft plan with recommendations is expected to be forwarded to the city in July or August, when a second community open house will be held to review the plan.