Commercial district revitalization planning needs to focus more on mobility, not just retail

If I ever do another commercial district revitalization framework plan, I will definitely look into the idea of the district-wide provision of valet parking at night. See "Newtown Borough considering valet parking for its busy main street" from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

From the article:

"I'm not aware of any other town that offers valet parking. It's time to capitalize on it," David Witchell, owner of a salon and spa on State Street and one of two merchants pushing the idea, said last week. "If shoppers know they can pull up and get a map of the business district, business cards and coupons, they'll come."

Under a proposal the Borough Council is considering, customers of the community's 100 or so businesses could drop off their cars in the middle of a block on weekends for a flat fee of $7, freeing up spaces along State Street. The trial would run through the end of the year and then be evaluated.