Parking garage helps downtown

Several weeks ago, the first phase of a downtown revitalization was completed, hopefully starting a welcome trend in Bloomington towards a lively downtown community. \nA $5.6 million, six-story parking garage opened at the newly constructed Walnut Center on the northeast corner of Walnut and Seventh streets.\nDuring the day, county government employees usually occupy parking spots on the square, driving people away from businesses. It is much easier to find a parking spot at College Mall than it is on the square, and local businesses have been losing shoppers because of this problem.\nAt night, the influx of people to the bars in that area -- Axis, the Bluebird and Kilroy's Sports Bar, to list a few -- often overcrowds the spots. After an evening at the bars, many people end up walking home late at night because they could not find a place to park their cars. \nThe city has taken these concerns into account, and the new parking garage has the ability to do away with a majority of these problems. \nBut the Walnut Center will not only help alleviate downtown parking woes; it will serve several other purposes. The center includes almost 9,000 square feet of retail space and 6,000 square feet of space for a telecom facility.\nBloomington Mayor John Fernandez said the Center, which the city began building last June, will help both local business and communications.\n"The retail space will add to the vibrancy of the area by attracting more customers downtown to shop," he said. "The telecom space will serve as an important hub for information exchange in our community and across Indiana."\nScottie's Brewhouse, a pub, has already committed to some Walnut Center space. \nIn addition, a "telecom hotel" will be located on the first floor to give shared access for Internet servers to cut costs with telecommunications companies. \nAll of these initiatives are moving Bloomington in the right direction. The downtown area has had a lot to offer residents for many years, but the parking situation hindered that. With the parking problem fixed and new businesses introduced, downtown Bloomington will become an even better place to visit. \nStaff vote: 11-0-3