Formica pushes parking solution

East Lyme — First Selectman Paul Formica says he's planning to meet with local property owners to get them on board with a new parking plan in Niantic.

The plan, which was put together by a team from the University of Connecticut, includes redesigning and reworking the parking areas along Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The plan would be a public-private partnership, a collaboration between local businesses and the town.

Construction is already under way for the Niantic Streetscape project, which will enhance the downtown area and make it more "pedestrian-friendly." Sidewalks will be replaced, signs and street lamps will be upgraded and some trees will be replaced.

"We're doing the streetscape and the idea is to increase pedestrian comfort and traffic," Formica said. "But the need for parking is important."

The addition of Smarty's Restaurant and the Niantic Farms Supermarket, but especially the popular Irish pub and restaurant, The Black Sheep, has made town officials scramble for a new parking plan to cope with increased traffic. A second Frank's Gourmet Grille will also be opening shortly on Main Street.

Currently, patrons can park on the street in one- or two-hour spaces or in the municipal lots. Businesses in Niantic are in the town's parking overlay zone and aren't required to include parking in their site plans.

There are about 148 spaces in the various municipal lots in Niantic. Formica's plan would create an additional 100 to 150 spaces.

"Parking problems are a good thing to have," Formica said. "But this plan will take some rethinking on behalf of the merchant."

George Mitchell, principal of the Mitchell Trust that owns the parking lot and property around the pub, said he couldn't comment about Formica's plans because he's only heard about his ideas, but hasn't seen any renderings.

"Anything he can do will be helpful," Mitchell said. "But we're waiting to see what's going to happen."

Leo Roche, owner of The Black Sheep, could not be reached for comment.

a.renczkowski@theday.com