Lynn study: Add more park space

LYNN – Downtown has more than enough parking and some of that asphalt could be turned into parks, concludes a study proposing a variety of ways to bring more people into downtown.”In place of pavement, add park space,” the study suggested.The “Build on a Vision for Downtown Lynn” study is intended to be a suggestion list to help city residents, business owners and anyone else interested in downtown’s future in crafting plans for the area bordered roughly by the Highlands, Sagamore Hill, the waterfront and Lynn Common.”This is a fresh set of eyes,” said City Council President Daniel Cahill.Cahill and Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy joined 40 other people who attended a Tuesday night discussion on the study drafted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. MAPC Director Marc Draisen told the audience that successful downtowns offer a broad range of attractions to bring people to them.Lynn resident Nancy Palleschi agreed with Draisen and said city officials should convert MAPC’s suggestions into plans for restoring downtown to its decades-old glory when restaurants, movie theaters and sidewalks packed with shoppers defined the city’s center.”They had everything and anything,” Palleschi recalled.In addition to downscaling parking lots, the MAPC’s study highlights several ideas for – in agency planner Manisha Bewtra’s words – making downtown “a regional destination” 😕 minimize requirements for special permits? encourage a growing downtown dining scene? ensure new construction is compatible with downtown’s existing character? don’t allow auto repair shops or downtown service stations? allow overnight parking in the commuter garage? encourage downtown restaurants to stay downtownTuesday’s audience added their own ideas to that list. Real estate agent Soraya Cacici said the city might explore ways to encourage condominium owners in nine downtown buildings converted to residential use in recent years to continue owning their units instead of renting them.”I don’t think it’s a great thing for downtown to lose owners,” Cacici said.The city also needs to ensure downtown includes housing affordable to all city residents, said Jonathon Feinberg. Draisen said the key to achieving that goal is preserving existing affordable housing.