| |
|
November 20, 2008
Help! A state plan to eliminate the free street parking in front of our building has just come to our attention, via Ethos supporter Dave Plotkin. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to eliminate between 4 and 6 of the free on-street parking spaces directly in front of our restaurant!
As a customer of Ethos, you have probably noticed that parking is scarce in our neighborhood. There is more plentiful parking at the public parking lot on Alden Rd, but the lot can be tricky to find if you are unfamiliar with the area, and it is not as convenient as the street parking out front.
The reason given for the removal of parking spaces is to eliminate a "traffic safety hazard" for vehicles leaving the small private lots along our portion of Orange Avenue. As someone who drives in and out of the area every day, I have never observed an accident, nor had a problem maneuvering into traffic myself. Further, Kelly and I can think of several better ways to eliminate any safety hazards - for instance, a strictly-enforced 25mph speed limit, for crying out loud!
At any rate, the decision has already been made to eliminate the spots. However, the state is accepting comments from the public through November 30th. Please, please, please take a moment to compose a calm but firm letter or email asking the FDOT to leave our parking alone! Ask them to reconsider their decision, and request that they find another way to eliminate the safety hazard while leaving the existing parking spaces intact.
It has been tough enough for our restaurant to survive thus far. Loss of parking will be permanently detrimental to our restaurant's viability. We have already voiced our opinion on the matter, but it hasn't done any good. That's why we need your help! Public outcry is harder to ignore than the desperate pleas of a business owner.
If you want to save the street parking, you can address your comments to:
By email:
»Start an Email For Me!
FDOT Project Manager Rebecca Bobbitt
Rebecca.Bobbitt@dot.state.fl.us
By phone:
FDOT Project Manager Rebecca Bobbitt
386-943-5171
By mail:
The LPA Group Incorporated
Attn: Bonnie Pfuntner, Public Information Manager
1320 Executive Center Drive
Atkins Building, Suite 100
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Whether writing or calling, it is important to reference the Orange County FDOT Project Number 422004-1-52-01.
Please help us by sending in your comments today! The deadline is November 30th, 2008.
ps... If you're feeling especially adamant, you can copy your email to these people as well: steve.homan@dot.state.fl.us, noranne.downs@dot.state.fl.us, robert.stuart@cityoforlando.net, and scott.randolph@myfloridahouse.gov.
»View/Print Call to Action (.pdf)
Sincerely,
Laina & Kelly Shockley
Owners, Ethos Vegan Kitchen, Inc.
Est'd 2007 • Family Owned & Operated
|
| |
