The planned project to add a parking lot in historic downtown Redlands has been abandoned. This initiative aimed to create 140 new spaces, part of ongoing efforts by the Redlands City Council to tackle parking issues. However, the project, which would have cost approximately $650,000, faced a funding deficit and had already spent nearly $104,000 on its design.
Concerns were raised during a council meeting about the accessibility of the lot, located between Seventh and Ninth streets, as some council members believed people would be reluctant to walk the two blocks to the downtown area. City officials cited budget constraints as a primary reason for the project’s cancellation.
Resident Andy Hoder highlighted the long-standing parking problem, urging for solutions while emphasizing the desire to maintain free parking spots. Others echoed similar sentiments, questioning whether people would walk to the downtown area under less than ideal weather conditions. The vacant land intended for the project is owned by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, necessitating significant capital investment for development, which further complicated the project’s feasibility.
