by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Parking woes at the Jacksonville Landing could be resolved soon if the City and the waterfront mall can agree on a remedy and how to manage it. Valet parking may be the answer.
A garage designed for Landing patrons won’t become a reality for a few years. However at least one major Landing tenant believes that adding that service may be a suitable, and possibly permanent, alternative.
Owners of the Twisted Martini, easily the Landing’s most popular night spot, have been hoping that option could be worked out for the better part of a year. Making it easier for their customers to get in and out of the Landing, especially during inclement weather, by offering a valet service could positively impact their business, as well as others there, they said.
The system, which would also add a “more upscale element to the Landing” would likely be in operation Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.
But addressing logistical issues has kept valet progress on a somewhat slow track.
At one time, Landing management had hoped to use a portion of Hogan Street as a valet staging area. However, the City put the kibosh on those plans, saying that to make a profit on a public right-of-way is against the law.
Janice Lowe, Landing general manager, said other options might work better including the Landing’s parking lot further east next to the Hyatt.
“That’s what we’ve been discussing and we’re confident something can be worked out,” Lowe said of the ongoing negotiations. “We don’t have anything final yet, but the City has been very helpful through all of this and we appreciate that.”
Lowe was unsure when a valet agreement would be signed, but that it would likely be sooner than later.
“This has been a long time coming,” Lowe said. “We’ve had to work around a few issues, but when we do get everything in order, we believe it will be an attractive feature at the Landing.”