Unlocking St. Joe: Mayor's Vision for Downtown Parking and Business Growth

Mayor Rick Schultz's Vision for St. Joseph

St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz may not be running for re-election, but he is not short on ideas to enhance the community. During a recent discussion on WJON, he highlighted downtown parking as a frequent concern among residents and visitors.

Parking Solutions

Schultz mentioned that the city council has never considered charging for street or surface lot parking and still has no plans to do so. To address the shortage of on-street parking, he proposed the idea of a parking ramp or garage. Although he identified a couple of ideal locations for this, he refrained from disclosing them due to current occupancy.

He believes it is reasonable for residents and visitors to walk a block or two to their destinations. However, the funding for the proposed parking facility remains unclear. Currently, St. Joe does not charge for on-street parking, which allows individuals to park in front of businesses and leave their vehicles all day. Although there is a 2-hour limit for downtown parking, enforcement has been inconsistent.

Growth and Community Events

In the last 5-10 years, St. Joe's downtown has seen significant growth, with an increase in community events.

Business Opportunities

Schultz also suggested that a bike/snowmobile shop near the Wobegon Trail would be a beneficial addition to the community. Drawing from his experiences in other towns, he noted that combining a bike shop with a coffee shop near bike trails could attract more visitors. The Wobegon Trail is also popular among snowmobilers during the winter months.

If you're interested, you can listen to my full conversation with Mayor Rick Schultz below.