Parking 'Brutal' at Main and Ridge

Centennial Blueprint and Bob's Auto Clinic will be getting a visit from Lansdale Police soon about how it may help with the "brutal" parking situation along Ridge Street and East Main Street.

"It's brutal. Somebody's going to get hurt," said Lansdale Borough Public Safety Committee Chairman Mike Sobel during this month's committee meeting. "People are parking really close. I know some businesses there, like Bob's Auto Clinic. It's really tough, especially with him swinging his tow trucks and rollbacks in there."

Sobel and Councilwoman Mary Fuller said they have received complaints from residents about the parking and sight distance issue at the intersection.

"You can't see, especially if somebody's trying to turn in," Sobel said.

"They park on the side of the alley too," Fuller added. "The sight distance is awful."

Lansdale Police Chief Robert McDyre said there are two approaches: Visit with the businesses and send correspondence requesting improvements to parking.

"We can spend a couple of days with one of the owners. Centennial Blueprint has a lot of employees and they are strapped for parking. Bob has quite a few customers during the day," McDyre said. "Let's make it a multiprong approach: I'll meet with both and send letters."

McDyre said the dual approach will be catalysts in looking at parking recommendations, like striping.  

Fuller told McDyre that vehicles park in front of a fire hydrant across from Bob's Auto Clinic at the corner of an alleyway and Ridge Street.

"Employees have to be able to park somewhere," Sobel said, "but I notice it coming out of there (daily)."

Councilman Jason Van Dame offered a solution.

"McDonald's has a lot of empty parking spots," he said. 

What do you think of the parking issue at that intersection? Tell us in the comments.