Building in parking challenge

To the editor:

As an advocate for an economically vibrant and historic downtown, Oberlin Main Street/Chamber of Commerce has and continues to support Oberlin College's new Litoff Jazz Studies Building. As the new building has risen over the past year, the downtown neighborhood has dealt with the disruptions related to the building's construction, knowing that these would eventually yield a new and valued asset for Oberlin College, downtown, and the community.

However, as a direct result of its construction the new building permanently reduces downtown public parking while concurrently increasing demand for remaining spaces. Parking is critical to the economic survival of Oberlin's downtown businesses -- retail, service, and professional -- and with that the continued viability of our historic downtown as a functioning, attractive, and lively center of commerce and community.

Oberlin College, the City of Oberlin, and Oberlin Off-Street Parking, Inc., have put considerable effort and creativity into exploring options to mitigate this situation. None of the parking proposals suggested was perfect -- either side of South Professor, the north side of West College, or the Verizon lot.

The downtown community has conflicting priorities and needs, and has wrestled with the various options without reaching consensus. We ARE unified in looking forward to the completion of the Litoff Building. It will be a welcome contribution to our town's justified reputation as an arts and cultural destination.

We have no doubt the Planning Commission's ruling to let stand their 2008 decision to require angled parking on West College Street will be controversial. We hope we can all move forward by addressing our differences of opinion with civility and respect.

Greg Tisher, Director

Oberlin Main Street/Chamber of Commerce