The Cassidy

ml1 said:

I think the easiest solution is signage and other educational efforts to remind drivers that they can park on that side of the tracks in the evening.  Those kind of things should be a priority of the Village Alliance.

Those of us who live on “that side of the tracks” are already fully aware of those parking spaces.

author said:


Ask the Village merchants or residents of the Village what they think of the parking siuation

I'm sure they'd all love unlimited parking within 50 yards of their doors.  But that has never been possible in the village.  If any village merchant is blaming parking for any difficulties their businesses are facing, I'd suggest to them that the fault lies elsewhere.  There's plenty of parking for the Village Trattoria to be packed every Friday, and for Arturo's at dinner time every night of the week, and for the movie theater on Friday and Saturday.  Not to mention plenty of parking for Kings seven days a week.

From the complaints you are always relaying from unnamed village merchants, I'd suggest that very few of them have a wide enough perspective to know what's right for the village as a whole.  Understandably, they seemed focused only on their own individual circumstances.  And what's best for the village overall may or may not be best for any one merchant.  

I would have thought so.  But people here seem to be suggesting that it was a revelation to realize you can park near the station and walk under the tracks.  People who come in from Millburn or Springfield probably don't even think about it.

tomcarlson said:

ml1 said:

I think the easiest solution is signage and other educational efforts to remind drivers that they can park on that side of the tracks in the evening.  Those kind of things should be a priority of the Village Alliance.

Those of us who live on “that side of the tracks” are already fully aware of those parking spaces.

It is human nature that anyone seeking to go to Tratoria or Maple Leaf etc would resent needing to park at the Middle School or other side of the tracks.  At my age by the time I got to where I intended to go I might forget my original goal.

Perhaps  it is time to seriously consider a parking deck at the Woodland.  It seems there is adequate space to do so and leave the Woodland Bldg in as is

We went to Jockey Hollow in Morristown last week for drinks.  It was a good five minute walk to the front door from where we parked.  It is what it is. If people want to patronize places with huge parking lots right out front, they can go to Rt. 22 or Rt. 10.  I'm sure there's a good TGI Friday's or Red Lobster with plenty of parking.

There is no parking crisis in Maplewood Village.  Full stop.  We don't need to build other parking lots or parking decks for the handful of super peak hours.  We need people to become aware of where all the available lots are.  And realize it's easier to park across from the Post Office or at the Woodland and walk a block than it is to circle around for 20 minutes.

With The Cassidy and the new restaurant (think they need an easier name) the parking is definitely going to be more difficult. A parking garage will be needed. I know Nelson's was discussed years ago and dismissed. Nevertheless that area would be perfect,not The Woodland.

If you're referring to me, I didn't mean to suggest that, but rather that getting to parking spots on the Memorial Park side of the station is inconvenient once you're cruising downtown. Changing the direction of Dunnell would be one way to address that. I agree with you that people from other towns may not be aware of the convenience of station parking after hours. I'm not sure signs pointing the way to Valley Street and back would be an effective solution.

ml1 said:

people here seem to be suggesting that it was a revelation to realize you can park near the station and walk under the tracks.  

galileo said:

With The Cassidy and the new restaurant (think they need an easier name) the parking is definitely going to be more difficult. A parking garage will be needed. I know Nelson's was discussed years ago and dismissed. Nevertheless that area would be perfect,not The Woodland.

In theoretical terms I think the concept of a parking garage should be considered.  I tossed the Woodland idea out only because it has been discussed before................I would be open to any location convenient    to shoppers and diners

in 20 years, if we build a parking deck, newcomers to the town will think we were luddites. They'll ask themselves why people in 2017 were unaware of the future of self-driving vehicles, not to mention the fact that services like Uber and Lyft already existed.  They'll look at an ugly blocky parking deck that sits empty most of the time and ask themselves why we tore down an attractive building like Nelson's to build it.

Color me skeptical of that future. Uber and Lyft lose tons of money and still pay there drivers bubkas. I am willing to bet in 20 years that a licensed driver will still be required behind controls of a car. 

I went to the 64 World's Fair. 

ml1 said:

in 20 years, if we build a parking deck, newcomers to the town will think we were luddites. They'll ask themselves why people in 2017 were unaware of the future of self-driving vehicles, not to mention the fact that services like Uber and Lyft already existed.  They'll look at an ugly blocky parking deck that sits empty most of the time and ask themselves why we tore down an attractive building like Nelson's to build it.

In 20 years where will the self parking vehicles self park?. Also....I have lived in town for 40 years and given Dave from Nelson's plenty of euros.........but honestly that is the first time I have heard that building called attractive

author said:

but honestly that is the first time I have heard that building called attractive

I see a comment (or several) coming from a mile away. In the meantime, count mine as the second to call that building attractive.

author said:

but honestly that is the first time I have heard that building called attractive

beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  But virtually every building I've ever seen in my life is more attractive than the average parking deck.

at some point in the not too distant future, your self driving car will drop you off, and then park itself.  You will summon it when you need it and it will pick you up.

For those who are skeptical, if you visit the city of Pittsburgh, you will no doubt encounter self-driving Ubers that are navigating the city every day.  In 20 years, there is little doubt that self-driving vehicles will be part of our transportation mix.  If even 10% of trips are made by self-driving cars, our parking "crisis" disappears.

author said:

In 20 years where will the self parking vehicles self park?. 

I know which one I prefer.  YMMV

Since the Cassidy and Starbucks opened I have driven to the village quite a few times, including Saturday late morning, weekend evenings and after school.  I find parking and driving in the village very much improved with the new pass through from the Village Coffee parking lot to Ricalton Square.  I've lived in this area since 1984 and driving in the village has never been easier.  Havent tried the Cassidy but I can't wait to do so. 

ml1 said:

at some point in the not too distant future, your self driving car will drop you off, and then park itself.  You will summon it when you need it and it will pick you up.

For those who are skeptical, if you visit the city of Pittsburgh, you will no doubt encounter self-driving Ubers that are navigating the city every day.  In 20 years, there is little doubt that self-driving vehicles will be part of our transportation mix.  If even 10% of trips are made by self-driving cars, our parking "crisis" disappears.

author said:

In 20 years where will the self parking vehicles self park?. 

Since I live in the Village,  everyday I see a few drivers circling the block looking   for a parking space. Next time I see one I will surely shout out " Don't worry, in 20 years there will be 10% more parking spaces.  Then I  shall seek shelter.

Just tell them there are plenty of spaces now and it's not necessary that they park right in front of the place they're going. 

author said:

ml1 said:

at some point in the not too distant future, your self driving car will drop you off, and then park itself.  You will summon it when you need it and it will pick you up.

For those who are skeptical, if you visit the city of Pittsburgh, you will no doubt encounter self-driving Ubers that are navigating the city every day.  In 20 years, there is little doubt that self-driving vehicles will be part of our transportation mix.  If even 10% of trips are made by self-driving cars, our parking "crisis" disappears.

author said:

In 20 years where will the self parking vehicles self park?. 

Since I live in the Village,  everyday I see a few drivers circling the block looking   for a parking space. Next time I see one I will surely shout out " Don't worry, in 20 years there will be 10% more parking spaces.  Then I  shall seek shelter.

ml1 said:

Just tell them there are plenty of spaces now and it's not necessary that they park right in front of the place they're going. 

If somebody had shouted that to me the other day, I would have agreed in general — and then tuned him out with the rest of “Forever Changes” as I resumed my 10- to 15-minute search for a spot.

Just like DaveSchmidt, I was driving all over town  about ready to go to Millburn. All of a sudden I thought I was lucky. A car was pulling out. Unfortunately, a car from the other direction made an illegal turn into the spot. I did honk just to get rid of some anger.

galileo said:

I did honk just to get rid of some anger.

Unsolicited, but per above, I recommend Love instead.

ml1 said:

Just tell them there are plenty of spaces now and it's not necessary that they park right in front of the place they're going. 

author said:

ml1 said:

at some point in the not too distant future, your self driving car will drop you off, and then park itself.  You will summon it when you need it and it will pick you up.

For those who are skeptical, if you visit the city of Pittsburgh, you will no doubt encounter self-driving Ubers that are navigating the city every day.  In 20 years, there is little doubt that self-driving vehicles will be part of our transportation mix.  If even 10% of trips are made by self-driving cars, our parking "crisis" disappears.

author said:

In 20 years where will the self parking vehicles self park?. 

Since I live in the Village,  everyday I see a few drivers circling the block looking   for a parking space. Next time I see one I will surely shout out " Don't worry, in 20 years there will be 10% more parking spaces.  Then I  shall seek shelter.

Given the fact that they were at that moment circling the block logic tells us that those"plenty of parking spaces" were no where to be found  But I still have my hidey holes should the need arise

ska said:





I went to the 64 World's Fair. 

I was there, too. I didn't see you.

--- in comes a parking deck. How soon after, do parking kiosks follow?

Formerlyjerseyjack said:


I was there, too. I didn't see you.

Same. Luckily my straw hat had an elastic chin strap, or I might have lost it on the Swiss Sky Ride.

j_r said:

Formerlyjerseyjack said:


I was there, too. I didn't see you.

Same. Luckily my straw hat had an elastic chin strap, or I might have lost it on the Swiss Sky Ride.

My favorite spot was the Lowenbrau beer garden. Damn. That stuff was good.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

--- in comes a parking deck. How soon after, do parking kiosks follow?

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

--- in comes a parking deck. How soon after, do parking kiosks follow?

What is a parking kiosk?

author said:

Given the fact that they were at that moment circling the block logic tells us that those"plenty of parking spaces" were no where to be found  But I still have my hidey holes should the need arise

actually it means no such thing.  It means they were using the Costanza parking rule.

I'm all for a parking deck, but only if we build it in the lot next to village coffee so Author has a good view of it from his window. Funny how ugly, blocky new construction is suddenly okay if it's out of one's sight lines....