Bumper to bumper, vehicles line the side streets of Uptown Sedona squeezing into spaces meant only for a clown car or clearly marked “No Parking.”
Larson Newspapers
Bumper to bumper, vehicles line the side streets of Uptown Sedona squeezing into spaces meant only for a clown car or clearly marked “No Parking.”
The problem — there just might not be enough parking in Uptown, Charles Mosley, Sedona city engineer said.
Motorists speed to spots moments after they become available, nudging in before anyone else can take the spot.
“People get frustrated and they lose common sense when they’re looking for a parking space,” Sedona Mayor Pud Colquitt said.
With spaces already a hot commodity, value just increased with Sedona City Council’s decision to reconfigure traffic flow and parking on Uptown streets Oct. 9.
On Mesquite Avenue, four to five spaces will be lost and 10 will be lost on Apple Avenue, according to City Manager Eric Levitt.
Council approved an ordinance which includes elimination of approximately 15 parking spaces, designates Van Deren Road a one-way street between Forest Road and Mesquite Avenue and makes three intersections four-way stops — Mesquite Avenue at Van Deren Road, Mesquite Avenue at Smith Road, and Apple Avenue at Van Deren Road.
Changes become effective in early November. An exact date wasn’t available at press time.
Additional signs will direct people to the correct direction down Van Deren Road — from Forest Road toward Mesquite Avenue — and council hopes to the Uptown Municipal Parking lot at the north end of town.
“There has to be a better way to get people around Uptown with signage,” Colquitt said.
Uptown property owner Tom Gilomen is skeptical.
“The problem is location, not signage,” Gilomen said. “The Uptown parking location has never worked.”
Giloman owns a large chunk of property nestled in Uptown’s business district which includes the parcels on Hwy. 89A, Van Deren Road and Wilson Road. Giloman said a parking lot on the southside is needed.
“What there needs to be is a plan for Uptown Sedona which incorporates parking for tourists,” Gilomen said.
Gilomen, who’s owned his property for 20 years, used portions of the land to create parking for his employees. Gilomen said he didn’t have to use the property for parking but then his employees would also be hunting the streets.
A balance between public safety and protecting business interests is what needs to be found, Gilomen said.
Colquitt suggested city staff explore options to mitigate the problem.
“Is there not a better place to put the buses?” Colquitt asked.
Currently, parking on Jordan Road between Mesquite Avenue and Apple Avenue is reserved for buses. Colquitt said the spaces are normally open and could possibly be used for cars instead.
Council will talk about future parking options at a work session Wednesday,
Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Trista Steers can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 129, or e-mail to tsteers@larsonnewspapers.com
