Lynn plans to add nearly 50 spaces to site off Wyoma Square

LYNN – The Off Street Parking Commission voted unanimously to deed the Wyoma Square parking lot over to the city, where plans have already been drawn up for a probable makeover.”It has to be accepted (tonight) then it will be official,” said Jamie Cerulli, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy’s chief of staff, who also sits on the commission. “The DPW (Department of Public Works) will maintain it and we plan to start a pilot program for automation.”Kennedy said in December that she would like to take over the lot and use it as a testing ground for automated operations such as the Church Street lot in Salem.Cerulli said turning it over to the city seemed the wise move to make considering how much it will cost to revamp the cramped lot.Located on a narrow strip of asphalt that runs in between the backside of several Wyoma Square businesses and Charles Reinfuss Field, the 55 parking space lot will cost upwards of $500,000 to renovate. The commission has only $233,000.”It would be foolish to blow all our money on one lot, it would mean nothing for the other lots,” Cerulli said.The commission also oversees parking lots off Buffum and Andrew streets, Central Avenue, Ellis/School, Johnson and Union streets.Kennedy said the city will go forward with the plan although she admits she is still working out the details on the financing.The preliminary plan shows some landscaping and an additional dozen spots but Cerulli said the ultimate plan is to have between 90 and 100 spaces in total. To do that the city will have to seek an easement from Lynn Housing and Neighborhood Development, which Cerulli said hasn’t been done yet.The preliminary plan also keeps the somewhat inconspicuous entrance off Broadway between Century Realtor and the Wyoma Card Center. Cerulli said the city is toying with moving the exit to down alongside the Little League Field or across from the nearby Walgreens but it hasn’t quite figured out if traffic will be an issue.Area business owners are largely on board with the plan. In December Lazy Dog owner Tom Dill and other merchants in the square brought the initial improvement ideas to Kennedy and the City Council.Cerulli said once the lot is properly deeded to the city she will meet with Engineering Alliance, who drew up the original plan, and move forward.Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].