Parking Purchase Boon to Kirkwood Economy

The Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1946 by local business persons with the mission to do what's right for business and the community.

These local men and women strategized in partnership with leaders, the , local community groups and organizations and churches to bring improvements to the community that would have a positive impact on revenues used to keep the city running. One roadblock to success was an agenda item at the first meeting of the newly established business organization: PARKING.

Not much has changed. Many owners and employees of the over 600 businesses represented by the Chamber are still local. Each is concerned about the economic welfare of the community. They understand the importance of bringing in the revenues necessary to run a successful city. The Chamber is dedicated to a partnership with the City to maintain the vibrancy of the downtown area. Yet, there continues to be a problem with parking.

Much has been said or will be said advising members of the  on how to vote.

The Chamber says, “Congratulations to the City Council for having the wisdom to recognize an opportunity and finally take a step toward solving the age old problem of parking.”

They have realized the prospect of purchasing land already adjacent to a prime parking area to offer the ability for enhancing sales tax revenues. This opportunity will allow more consumer parking in downtown. Businesses will realize a boon to the local economy and the purchase will curb the impression that Kirkwood has no parking available — a concern echoing through the Chamber on a daily basis.

The purchase is an asset that may at any time be sold should the City require additional funding. Better yet, it opens the door to offering the combined property to a developer that could at some future date build new retail space along Jefferson Avenue and make the development profitable by building a few levels of parking above the new businesses.

It takes courage to seize an opportunity amongst opposition. The Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce and its board of directors support and applaud our City leaders good sense and dedication to doing what’s best for the entire Kirkwood community.

Kirkwood Patch would like to thank Jim Wright for submitting the above Letter to the Editor. Please send Letters to the Editor to owen.skoler@patch.com.