BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Drivers hoping to park on Main Street in Massena may soon see fewer spaces after village officials agreed to move spaces farther away from crosswalks.

Village trustees announced the changes during a recent village board meeting.

Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller informed trustees that parking spaces are required to be 20 feet back from crosswalks. In downtown Massena that code isn’t being followed, which is forcing DPW crews to address the situation.

Main Street may not be the only area affected by the laws, Miller said.

He informed trustees the same rules apply to all alleys and driveways as well.

Miller said the tighter than allowed parking spaces make it treacherous for pedestrians to safely cross the road when vehicles are parking "right on top" of crosswalks.

“I know it is hazardous right there with the crosswalk right in front of this facility (the town hall) if you have a UPS truck or even the cars right there. People just think because it’s a crosswalk they can walk out,” he said.

Miller said the change to parking spaces would offer some relief to the crosswalk and would allow pedestrians a better view of traffic as they attempt to cross.

Village officials said at the meeting that the village had roughly 230 parking spaces in the downtown area, though some may require walking.

That figure is subject to change once the village moves the spaces back from crosswalks and alleys, leading to even fewer spaces close to downtown businesses.

In an effort to make it easier for shoppers, Trustee Ken McGowan suggested business owners not park in front of their businesses. He said that would allow customers a much shorter walk, especially those that may struggle to walk longer distances.

Miller said his crews would be responsible for painting the new parking spaces, despite Main Street technically being a state route.

With crews slated to adjust the spaces, Miller said one benefit would be some spaces becoming larger than they are currently.

“We’ll lay out the first one back from the crosswalk and then keep going back. I don’t want to make them any smaller because they’re kind of tight right now. I just want everybody to be informed of that so that everybody’s aware," Miller said.

This won't be the last word on parking in the village downtown, however.

As part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, village officials say downtown parking will be a key component of the streetscape project.

The $2.984 million project will enhance the downtown area to make walking and parking much easier for customers.

It will also include new street lighting, sidewalks, street trees, under-bridge lighting, benches and pedestrian connections.

An additional $1.9 million will also be utilized to create a riverwalk gateway and courtyard.

That project will get underway later this year when the former Massena School of Business is removed. The facade of the building will remain, creating a gateway to the planned riverwalk and courtyard, officials previously said.

St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency officials recently approved a contract with Atlantic Testing for air quality monitoring at the job site in preparation for demolition in the near future.

“The hope is with the DRI and the streetscape that we can do a better job of connecting parking throughout the village,” Miller said.

Officials also praised the work being completed in Veterans Memorial Park on Andrews Street, which has seen significant work completed by DPW crews in recent months.

"I just want to give a shoutout to Marty and all of his guys for the great work they have put in at the park. It is looking awesome so far and we cannot wait to see it when it is all wrapped up," Mayor Greg Paquin said.