One thing I want in my hometown is a vibrant and healthy downtown economy. That means plenty of dining options, shopping opportunities and entertainment. And downtown Naperville has it all.
The one problem could be people! PN readers excluded, of course, but seriously, it is not so much all the people as it is all the cars. Or perhaps it is just the successful mix.
I understand that some individuals might consider the perfect day being a time when they find a parking spot within 10 feet of where they want to visit.
In reality, they might consider that no matter what the season, they might miss a picture-perfect day for a one or two-block stroll along a tree-lined street or Riverwalk path before enjoying that meal or new purchase. And that 5-minute walk is sometimes half the time it takes driving around to find that perfect parking spot.
As Naperville’s downtown grows, so does the need for parking. That need is no big secret. Parking is a fact of life, whether near successful commercial real estate or at home.
Downtown success has much to do with many free and easy parking options from the Van Buren Deck, Central Parking Deck and surface parking from Nichols Library to the Paw Paw Lot, etc., and streetside. And according to Katie Wood, Executive Director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, “The best kept parking secret after 5PM during the week and all weekend is to park in the city lot and walk across the covered bridge at Dandelion Fountain.”
The secret is out Katie!
How lucky we all are to have such a vibrant downtown where everyone wants to come and park in lots of the free parking lots!
