Hyannis Parking the Subject of Open House

HYANNIS – A meeting at Barnstable Town Hall Monday night had to do with the very area the building is situated on.

Main Street parking, an issue for countless towns, is the subject the town’s growth management department is attempting to tackle.

They’ve hired a consult firm, Nelson\Nygaard, to come up with cost effective solutions to improve the existing parking system.

Monday’s meeting was one stage in that process, and allowed those concerned with Main Street parking to come mark down on a giant map the areas they’ve had trouble with.

It also allowed participants other exercises, such as “would you rather” questions, regarding more specific elements of parking in downtown.

Barnstable Growth Management Director Jo Anne Buntich said she encourages all who are concerned to fill out a survey so they can better understand how to improve the situation.

“All downtowns experience this issue, Hyannis because we’re host to marine transportation and shopping,” she said. “So this is just a way to hear from businesses and citizens so we can address it.”

Nelson\Nygaard planner Tom Yardley said they’ll be surveying the area a few times, especially during peak season in July. Another public input session is in the works for the fall.

Yardley said that the firm will present findings to the town in December.

That public survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/HyannisParking.