Manitou Springs city council approves buying restaurant for more public parking
Manitou Springs is known for it’s free-spirited population and unique boutiques.
But parking in the town is no picnic.
Manitou Springs City Council came up with an idea to help the lack of parking — by approving the purchase of Moroccan restaurant Tajine Alami to convert it into more parking.
Mayor Mark Snyder confirmed the approval Wednesday. He said the paperwork for the purchase is all drawn up, it just needs to be signed.
The city bought the property for just more than one million dollars.
Mayor Snyder said it’s an investment that will provide an invaluable service.
“This spot is in a great location that will provide a shuttle stop and 300 more public parking spaces to allow more people to visit our beautiful downtown,” Snyder said.
This comes after several issues with parking — including residents upset visitors were parking in their neighborhoods and the switch to paid parking on the main street.
Residents and visitors were excited about the purchase.
“I think it’s a great idea because sometimes you just want to come down here and shop but half of the day is spent trying to find parking,” visitor Casey Talaric said.
There is talk of a parking garage that could be put in, but Mayor Snyder said they will take their time with that decision.
First, they have to decide on what will be done with the historic restaurant.
“It’s such an iconic spot in Manitou Springs,” he said. “There’s a strong case for tearing down that old building because it needs a lot of work to be rehabilitated. At the same time, it’s a historic structure here with a rich history.”
The Mayor said he will put together a committee of residents and city leaders to look at all the options before they decide.
Many residents were on board at the thought of a parking garage, but said it had to maintain the historic look of the rest of the town.
“People come to Manitou for a reason and we have to preserve that history,” resident Deb Moore said.
City council plans on putting in lighting and repaving the parking lot while they decide on what to do with the building.
