2 months ago Share After spending years pursuing the right to build free-standing public restrooms, the St. Armands Business Improvement District has concerns about the cost.
Is $480,000 a fair price for constructing a two-building, three-stall public restroom in a median on St. Armands Circle? It’s up for debate.
On Jan. 13, the St. Armands Business Improvement District discussed the construction bids it received for a bathroom project it’s been pursuing in one form or another for the better part of a decade. After settling on a design and location and setting aside $300,000 to build it, some BID board members expressed concerns about moving forward after learning about the higher-than-expected construction costs.
3 months ago Share The St. Armands Business Improvement District also wants to work with city staff on plans to potentially allow housing and hotels in the Circle.
Are visitors to St. Armands Circle interested in playing a game of chess?
That’s just one of the questions the St. Armands Business Improvement District hopes to answer by building a parklet in the median along South Boulevard of the Presidents.
At its Nov. 18 meeting, the BID unanimously voted to approve a concept design for a small amenity zone set to include a small performance area, rocking chairs, an oversized chessboard and overhead lighting. The final product is still subject to change, but the BID board of directors expressed excitement about the parklet as an opportunity to bring energy to the Circle and to encourage outdoor activity.
4 months ago Share The city is also considering expanding paid parking to Saturdays as part of a response to revenue shortfalls.
City staff is pursuing authorization to increase paid parking rates on St. Armands Circle by up to 50 cents per hour and expand the program to Saturdays, though it’s unclear when the proposed changes will go to the City Commission for discussion.
The city has been preparing potential adjustments to the St. Armands paid parking program since the summer, working in consultation with a consultant and Circle stakeholders. Parking Manager Mark Lyons indicated the proposed adjustments are a response to St. Armands paid parking revenues falling short of projections.