pages: TransportationCommission/2007-04-25.pdf, 10
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TransportationCommission | 2007-04-25 | 10 | Staff Bergman noted that an email was sent to him by a business owner who had spoken at the TTT meeting: "We are owners of Wilmot's Books, a small independent bookstore that has been in existence on the West Side of Alameda for the last year and a half. During that time, we have run a successful business, despite being in a tough industry and being located a bit off the main business section of town. We've also been happy to become part of the community and a strong presence in the neighborhood for culture, literature and the arts, and most importantly, a place where people can come and hang out and shop. We are located at 478 Central Avenue, which is the intersection of 5th and Central Avenue, and is one of the locations that would possible be affected by the proposed changes in parking. "While our business is successful, it is also quite vulnerable. The difference in our succeeding and encountering great challenges can be the difference of just a few customers each day. The difference of a good day versus a bad day is directly linked to the parking in front of our store. While parking S already quite scarce in our neighborhood, the changes in parking would take away the three most important spots we have, which are directly in front of the store late in the afternoon. Since the changes proposed for directly across the street going in the opposite direction affect the early morning, people living in the neighborhood would be more likely to park in front of our store in the evening. The net result is that we would lose our most important parking for over half the hours that our store is in operation. "While we are very supportive of public transportation, we are also aware that a bus has never stopped to drop off anyone at this stop. The bus stop is not used, and certainly not needed. It is located two blocks from the school, so the students simply do not use this stop to be dropped off. If a change is going to be discussed, it should be to get rid of this stop that causes nothing but confusion. I cannot put it any simpler than this: If you choose to take away our parking, even for just a few hours at a time, you will force us to move, and we will need to shut down this store. It is my assumption that the City of Alameda would rather have an independent bookstore instead of parking for a bus stop that isn't used. Thank you for your consideration, Tim and Mary Wilmot." Staff Bergman noted that the stop he referred to only serves one of the school lines, so the restriction was only for the hours when that bus was in operation. Joyce Larrick, representing herself and Rebecca LeValley, who was unable to attend. She read Ms. LeValley's comments: "As a middle-aged and short bus rider, it is difficult enough climbing on and off some of the larger cruise line-type buses currently in service without the added obstruction of winding through parked cars to get to the bus. I think the tragic accident in San Francisco yesterday where a handicapped man was killed because a truck driver did not see his low silhouette in the crosswalk highlights some of the potential dangers to bus riders trying to board buses through high-profile SUVs, etc. I cannot see the possible advantage to a business of having their customers frustrated by the inability to get in or out or a parking space blocked by a boarding or discharging bus. Frustration leads to rash action and injuries. While we caution children against 10 | TransportationCommission/2007-04-25.pdf |