Dustan Goodell, president and CEO of Dallas-based Somerset Association Management, the company that runs Montgomery Plaza, said the actions over the weekend (“Wreckers Haul Away Dozens from Montgomery Plaza,” Blotch, Monday, Jan. 16) “obviously weren’t the results we were looking for.”
The plaza will take a different approach with future violators, Goodell said, understanding that West 7th Street visitors have been parking in Montgomery Plaza’s lot for “some time now” –– the plaza has been open since the mid-’00s.
“We don’t want to be the bad guy on the block,” Goodell said.
Instead of quickly hauling away violators, Goodell said, a spotter will patrol the area in question –– about 100 spots on the west and southwest sides of the plaza –– and warn parked drivers not intending on patronizing Montgomery Plaza establishments to either move or risk being towed. The spotter will also place warning fliers on the windshields of illegally parked vehicles whose owners can’t be located.
“We will educate and inform before we enforce,” Goodell said.
Goodell has hired a new towing company. His decision echoes the sentiment of Officer Ken Jacobs, the neighborhood police officer, who said the actions of last weekend’s towing company –– at least one wrecker used a Slim Jim to break into a vehicle to release its parking break –– were “totally inappropriate.”
Goodell said complaints from Montgomery Plaza customers about a lack of parking in the plaza inspired the decision to enforce parking restrictions.
Several weeks ago, Goodell said, Officer Jacobs went door to door, informing local business owners of Montgomery Plaza’s intentions.
West 7th business owners argue that only one plaza-located business, BoomerJack’s Grill & Bar, is open late, at a time when business in the West 7th corridor begins picking up.
Goodell understands the argument. However, he said, “Like anything in life, you have to be consistent. If I’m driving down the freeway, and there’s nobody around me, is it OK for me to go 80 miles an hour? It’s not. You’ve got to be consistent in enforcing policies.”
The West 7th corridor is zoned MU-2, which, among other things, means that businesses do not have to provide minimum numbers of parking spaces. The goal of the ordinance is to increase foot-traffic and decrease surface-parking costs.
As a result, parking has become a bloodsport in the area.
The ordinance, said Jimmy Moore, owner of the nearby 7th Haven, “looks good on paper and may play out in the long run but clearly is not working now.”
In response to the towing sting last weekend, the 7th Street Business Association issued a statement, at one point saying, “We respect property owners’ rights to protect their tenants and provide parking, but we ask that policies be reviewed and agreements with towing companies be modified so that visitors’ cars are not damaged. We also ask that a warning system be implemented and towing be a last resort.”
Goodell hasn’t been contacted by the association but said he is open to discussion. “We really are going to work with everybody,” he said, “and it’s probably going to take a month to reeducate everybody.”
34
Good News…
I’m surprised Dustan Goodall is surprised. Over enforcement never brings good results.
There’s still the matter of legitimate customers who got towed.
I’m sure they’ll be repaying those people back for any damage, and for the expense of having their vehicles towed?
Dustin Goodall: 214-239-4531
incompetent morons.
Great damage has already lowered sales, voices in all posted parking areas are in question. People have stopped coming. To Mr Goodell, there is no merit to such a drastic first approach, which had to be discussed before it began. Now you want to be sutile and soft. With the natiz beginning the plaza will never regain it’s momentum. Nor do I fell you will have much of a relationship with the other local business. It is your parking lot. You should start a parking membership with your tenants. And post that all customers are weclomed as long as they are on foot. As you said is is a foot traffic area. You should set the example for pure foot traffic. I am sure you will find several hundred right off the bat agree. Montgomery Plaza Foot traffic only.
The city provides tax incentives to encourage urban development in our area, but has neglected to plan for the traffic and safety concerns that are associated with the development of this once industrial area.
We would like to take this opportunity to work with MP in challenging our City Council and public officials to help address the parking and safety issues we are facing in the W. 7th Street district.
Garland Geeslin
The CEO Mr. Goodell. There could be a workable agreement with the 4 local business on late night parking for maybe 3 nights a week say after 10:30 pm Thursday, Friday & Saturday night. As long as the 4 business could unit as one, pay to keep the Plaza Parking lot clean. Or pay a fee to the Plaza for the use. This would be my approach to regain a more positive image in the area.
Remember those late night patron are also day time plaza patron.
Goodall’s comment about having to be consistent is nonsensical.
They could very easily post signs that restrict parking at the Plaza to customers until 9 or 10 pm, then allow the public to park there after those hours without restraint. That would also be consistent AND would be acting not only as a good neighbor, but as a business owner interested in generating good will with the public.
It’s a simple solution that’s been used countless other places for the benefit of all.
Last night I was towed after being on the property to eat dinner. I dropped something off in my car and then walked across the street. I came back one hour later to have my car towed. This occurred between the hours on 10 and 11. Something is not right.