Mercy would like to add six new parking stalls in the “private drive” that was once 1st Street SW, which also leads to a driveway for at least two private residences.
Residents in the Forest Park neighborhood contacted NorthIowaToday.com and expressed some concern over the plan, which was not part of the agreement approved by the city council two years ago.
According to city staff, Mercy Hospital “has requested concept plan approval for 6 parking stalls near the Administration offices. The stalls are on their service drive.”
According to one citizen who spoke with NIT, the parking spaces will cause a dangerous driving situation and make it difficult to back out of the driveway shared by private citizens – essentially a visibility problem caused by parked cars. NIT was also told that the area is not marked well with signs, and there is a great deal of confusion by vans, trucks and other vehicles pulling in that then backing out once the drivers find out they are in the wrong area.
At the scene Monday evening, it appeared that construction is still underway, and approval by city staff seems to be a mere formality. The concept plan review is scheduled for the Development Review Committee meeting Tuesday morning at 10 AM.
Why didn’t they grow the west campus with plenty of room instead of cramming everything in a residential neighborhood?
If the need for parking is so strong why not build a parking ramp?? I know it costs a lot of money, but it would make Mason City appear more like a city!
@seriously-the problem is that would make good sense. They would rather destroy a neighborhood than spend a extra nickel.
Of course Mercy will get it’s way. It always does.
Slam dunk