It has been nearly one year since the opening of the “Peggy’s Lot,” the paid public parking lot next to the post office on Lincklaen Street, and usage of the lot has not been as robust as the village board had hoped. In an effort to address this issue of the parking lot’s under-utilization, the village board is seeking public input on ways the village can improve the lot’s attractiveness for parking.

The village created the lot at 22 Lincklaen St. last year as a way to serve visitors to the community and others who needed convenient parking for more than two hours. The 23 spots are available at a cost of $1 per hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, payable at the electronic pay station; all other times are free.

“Even though the rate is affordable, it clearly continues to be under-utilized,” said Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “Ultimately the goal of the lot is to add available parking in our downtown and improve the overall economic climate.”

Wheeler said the parking lot usage issue will be discussed at the village board’s Aug. 4 regular monthly meeting. One option Wheeler said he plans to broach at the meeting is to offer monthly passes, targeted at those who work downtown, at bargain rates – perhaps $20 per month. That would allow all-day parking for about $1 per business day, eliminate the worry of being ticketed for overtime parking and open up about 20 spots along Albany Street for shoppers, he said.

The village board is eager to receive public input before then in order to have multiple ideas to consider during the discussion, Wheeler said.

The board is likely try one approach for the remainder of this summer and fall, and then use that knowledge to shape its approach for 2015, he said.

Ideas or suggestions for improved usage of the Lincklaen Street public parking lot may be emailed to the village clerk at [email protected] or dropped off at the village office on Albany Street.

Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].