TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – An ordinance that would limit surface parking lots along 7th and Wabash Avenue has been moved to the Terre Haute City Council, but not with the recommendation of the Vigo County Area Planning Commission.
Several weeks back, Terre Haute city councilman Todd Nation filed an ordinance that would limit surface area parking lots at 7th and Wabash Avenue for a convention center.
“I believe that the northwest corner of 7th and Wabash should not be a parking lot, especially not long-term,” Nation said.
Original plans for the convention center included constructing two garages for parking but those plans were changed after surface parking lots at what is now the Vigo County School Corporation building was considered a cheaper option for one of those garages.
“Now that that has changed, I’m asking why?,” Nation said.
Before Nation’s ordinance goes before the Terre Haute City Council on Thursday, Wednesday evening the Vigo County Area Planning Commission heard the issue.
The goal was to give a favorable or non-favorable recommendation of the ordinance to members of the city council.
“When we see an amendment to the code that limits parking in that area, it’s certainly something we want to investigate,” said Jared Bayler, executive director of Vigo County Area Planning.
After their investigation of the issue, the commission voted for a non-favorable recommendation of the ordinance.
“Our report in no way makes any commentary on the use or the best use of the property downtown, it simply follows established precedents,” Bayler said.
Following Wednesday’s decision Nation says whether or not the ordinance is passed by the city council, he hopes it encourages discussion about the downtown area.
“My main goal was to put it before city council and prompt a real discussion on what the future of 7th and Wabash will look like,” Nation said.
The Terre Haute City Council will hear the ordinance for the first time on Thursday, meaning they are not required to vote.
If the ordinance is passed by city council, Bayler says legal proceedings are possible.
