Search its meaning and you soon realize that the City of Elmhurst and the pro-six-story crowd have been using this method to present their case for six stories on the Addison parking deck. Using the seemingly best case scenario for projected retail growth in the downtown area, they tell us it would be more economical to spend the additional funds now to pay for the additional two stories of parking rather than to wait and have to do it later. You have to assume that Elmhurst's population, Elmhurst business activity, and the number of people driving to Elmhurst are going to grow. I can accept the first two but I do not assume the last one. Maybe you have read the recent stories harping on the horrible tax climate in Illinois motivating citizens to move to other states. Maybe you have read the stories about people abondoning the suburbs for city life because they are tired of the long commutes. Maybe you have read the stories that younger people do not portray the love of the automobile that past generations have exhibited. Considering these recent stories I mention can you really see the potential need for two more stories? Can you justify the added expense? My opinion is that the four stories of parking will adequately provide the parking for downtown Elmhurst now and into the foreseeable future.
I implore Mayor Morley and the leaders of Elmhurst to drop the press for six stories, agree to the four stories, and proceed with haste to get this project finished. If they want to grow business downtown, maybe sponsoring a zone of travel on the Metra--East and West--would be a better way to spend those additional millions.
