Parking is a problem all over Carbondale. Students complain about a lack of parking on campus. Others complain about high school students parking on their streets. Still others think there is not enough parking in other areas of the city. But the most recent debate about parking has prevented one business from receiving a chance to start while others in the same area continue to thrive.

The case in point involves the Lewis Park mall, which houses Pinch Penny Pub and Liquors, The Copper Dragon Brewing Company, Pick’s electronics and liquors, and another building which in the past has housed Checkers, Detours and Smil’in Jacks.

New owners of that building approached the city for a liquor license March 17, which had been approved by the Liquor Advisory Board but denied by the liquor Control Commission because of a perceived parking problem.

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The problem lies in the fact that parking at Lewis Park mall is a covenant. In other words, no one owns any of the spots they are shared. The commission based its decision on a history of problems because of traffic, including the inability of emergency vehicles to access the area.

But a covenant is about sharing. This most recent decision gives nothing to the applicants. It allows the already-established buildings to continue thriving while denying profit-minded entrepreneurs a chance to make a living.

The parking situation could be solved in several ways. First, there is a sizable piece of the property that remains grass. Paving or laying gravel on the area would provide additional spaces for parking.

In an earlier debate with different prospective operators, Carbondale Police Chief Don Strom expressed concern about the police having to concentrate on traffic control in the area rather than attack more serious occurrences. City Councilman John Budslick also considered the safety issue, but Thad Moore, a co-owner of the new business, discussed the possibility of private security patrolling the lots. Such action would reduce the burden on the police.

Another alternative is for the city to arbitrarily assign spaces. However, such an idea would be unpopular and impractical.

Fixing the parking problem in the Lewis Park Mall area is important to all parties involved. Simply denying one business the right to operate does not solve any problems, it only pushes the problems around and creates tensions for those involved.

In the past city officials have said it is not their place to deny anyone the chance to open a business in Carbondale. Parking should not be a reason to lean toward such a precedent.

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