Businesses address W. Dundee parking shortage

Like the assortment of businesses that line Main Street in downtown West Dundee, so too was the range of ideas business owners offered regarding the area's parking woes.

About eight business and property owners met Wednesday with village staff to discuss the downtown parking situation.

Though there are about 220 spaces in various parking lots and on the street, some business owners say a parking shortage threatens the continued growth of downtown.

"Business in downtown is coming to a max because of the parking issues," Randy Errington, owner of Hammerhead's Billiards Pub, said in a recent letter to the village.

"I need to stress to you and the board that for the downtown to thrive, there must be sufficient parking and the issue must be addressed quickly," Errington continues.

The group formulated several parking restrictions and options, which will be presented to the village board for approval Monday night.

Those include restricting parking on Second Street to two hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the creation of 10, 30-minute spaces and valet services on the weekends.

"We can't craft a solution that is going to please everyone," Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said. "But the village is willing to do what the downtown business community thinks will be in its best interests."

Cavallaro also suggested employees park away from prime parking spaces behind businesses.

But if there is one problem downtown businesses should embrace, some say parking should top the list.

"It shows that downtown is becoming vital," said Mark Poynor, who owns 115 Main St., home of Pet Pals. "If we have to talk about parking it means downtown is coming back alive, people are coming back."