Southington Council Mulls Town Parking Lot Redesign

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Local officials are mulling a redesign of a municipal parking lot the town purchased last year.

The Southington Town Council reviewed a proposed redesign of a recently acquired downtown parcel during its Feb. 9 meeting.

The discussion centered on a report from the Southington Parking Authority regarding the former Bank of America property the town recently purchased.

Michael Riccio, speaking on behalf of the authority, said the group was tasked with evaluating the parcel and developing recommendations to increase parking, improve safety, and enhance aesthetics.

Riccio said the authority proposes reconfiguring the lot to create additional parking spaces and improve traffic flow behind nearby retail shops.

Plans include closing the exit onto Apple Alley, eliminating an internal travel lane, removing guardrails, and eliminating a row of parking spaces behind Pralines and Anthony Jack’s.

Riccio said the redesign would result in a net gain of 14 parking spaces.

Southington Town Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky said the total increase would be 10 spaces.

Riccio said the changes would create “better flow and better access to the back of the retail shops.”

The proposal also calls for converting parking on Apple Alley to angled spaces and eliminating parking along the nearby green.

Riccio said the changes would create more of a park-like atmosphere and improve safety by reducing pedestrian street crossings.

He added that the entrance to Apple Alley would be narrowed to slow traffic.

The authority also reviewed lighting upgrades for the area.

Riccio said the goal is to create a well-lit parking area that “doesn’t break the bank and is tastefully done.”

The plan includes installing landscaped islands with trees and laying electrical wiring this year, with the possibility of adding light posts in the future as funding allows.

Existing light poles on Center Street and Main Street would remain.

No formal action was taken on the proposal, and the next steps were not discussed.

For the minutes of the Feb. 9 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.