In a meeting with neighbors Thursday, Willingham Property Co. outlined its plan to build a two-level parking structure on Paulus Avenue behind the Lakewood Theater.
The parking structure would include one level underground and one level above ground, with a six-foot fence surrounding it. The street level would hold 26 spaces and the underground level, 35. The street level is not planned as a structure with walls — it’s more like a parking lot at the surface with one level of underground parking. The street level would sit about one foot above the curb.
Willingham owns the Lakewood Theater and the portion of the shopping center that includes the former Matt’s, Centennial and Starbucks. Most likely, the parking lot’s lower deck would be used for valet, and the upper deck for employee parking.
Neighbors from Junius Heights, Lakewood Heights and other nearby ‘hoods said they are concerned that additional parking could open the door for more late-night bar business. They’re also worried about increased traffic and noise on Paulus, especially late at night.
The planned parking garage is adjacent to an office on one side and a residence on the other. The homeowner is concerned that excavation and the difference in grade could impact his quality of life.
Since Lakewood shopping center is near several office buildings, neighbors wonder why the property owners couldn’t agree to share parking. The shopping center is surrounded by parking lots and garages that are scarcely used at night. Wouldn’t it make sense for Willingham and Lincoln Property Co., which owns another part of the center, to enter parking agreements with Faulkner Tower and Lakewood Towers (home of Advocate Magazines), for example?
Trey Hart of Willingham said he has tried a number of times to come to an agreement with Faulkner, which owns parking on the opposite side of Paulus, but the building owner is not interested.
Willingham is seeking a variance from the City Plan Commission that would allow them to combine two adjacent lots for the property and to build the underground parking structure. If it is not approved, Willingham can still make a surface lot, which would hold about 31 cars, under the current zoning.
