Gain some, lose some: The constant balancing act of parking availability in Manitou Springs

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Precious few parking spaces are available here, especially during the busy summer tourist season.

But some street parking and sidewalk access near Memorial Park were closed last week and will be again this week for a project around the historic Hiawatha Gardens building.

Crews are currently improving sidewalks and repaving around the west and north sides of the building, at the intersection of El Paso Boulevard and Old Mans Trail.

Only one lane of eastbound traffic is allowed on the El Paso side.

Officials hope to finish the project by the end of the week.

It's unclear whether the current project is related to, or separate from, scheduled paving projects reported on by KRDO 13's The Road Warrior earlier this month.

However, the project appears connected to a broader effort that began in February to renovate the Hiawatha Gardens building to include restroom facilities and to improve the 150-space parking lot.

That $3.3 million project is scheduled for completion in late summer or early fall; a second phase, not yet funded, will create an outdoor pavilion and plaza on the property

Manitou officials acquired the former dance hall property -- which dates back to the late 1800s -- in 2016 but needed time to plan, design, and acquire funding for the project.

Meanwhile, officials have created 12 parking spaces as part of an assessment of parking across town.

"Yeah, so we're just taking a comprehensive look at all our downtown parking spots, making sure the requirements are being met," said Ben Schmitt, Manitou's public services director. "But there's going to be some reconfiguring of some spots, some adding of some spots, some removing of some spots."

A year ago, the town opened the converted Dillon Motel as the Dillon Mobility Hub, with restroom facilities, more than 90 parking spaces, and shuttle bus access.

Officials say the lot has been a success so far, even though it is on the east end of town and isn't conveniently located near downtown.