Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Town officials, business owners, and residents weigh in on downtown parking challenges

 

TRYON—The Foothills Regional Commission is conducting a comprehensive parking study in downtown Tryon, a project that extends far beyond a simple survey. In an interview, Alan Toney and Paloma Garcia Serrano of the commission detailed the scope and objectives of the study, which aims to assess parking needs and provide data-driven recommendations to the town.

The Foothills Regional Commission is a regional government council that serves Polk, Rutherford, McDowell, and Cleveland counties. Created in the 1960s by the federal government, its mission is to coordinate planning, provide technical assistance, and support local governments in long-range and project management.

According to Toney, the study involves extensive data collection and analysis, drawing on existing statistics, census data, and community surveys. 

“Sort of like a stool, we bring together different sources—engineering standards, existing data, and new survey results—to generate conclusions and make recommendations for downtown Tryon’s parking needs,” he said.

The study follows best practices used in similar projects for other towns, including Forest City and Lake Lure. Beyond identifying issues, the study aims to present actionable solutions. 

“One of the things we’ll do is provide the town with planning documents, including all the survey results,” Toney added. “We’ll go through the traditional public input process, inviting residents to review findings at Town Hall and provide feedback.”

Some town officials, including Councilman Bill Crowell, have questioned the need for a formal survey, arguing that the parking challenges in Tryon are already evident. Crowell contends that limited parking and the practice of retailers and employees parking in front of their businesses contribute to the problem. He believes additional parking infrastructure is needed, and merchants should primarily use the designated parking on Palmer Street rather than occupying spaces for customers.

Della Pullara, owner of The Tryon Bottle, shares a similar perspective, noting that merchants’ continued use of limited parking spots is an ongoing challenge. She also pointed out the issue of contractors and repair workers occupying vital parking spaces with their trucks for extended periods.

“I instruct my own employees not to park directly in front of my store, even when they sometimes make the mistake of doing so,” Pullara said.

A significant part of the study involves aerial drone imaging of downtown Tryon. 

“We will be droning the entire downtown area to understand what parcels exist and how they are currently used for parking,” Toney explained. “The high-quality imagery will allow us to analyze land use patterns and determine potential parking solutions.”

The study will also consider projected growth, vacant buildings, potential new businesses, and the anticipated impact of the Saluda Grade Rail Trail. “We take all existing conditions, projected conditions, survey data, and external data like the American Community Survey and put it all together to develop informed recommendations,” Toney said.

Beyond infrastructure, the study also aims to evaluate parking management strategies, such as time limits, signage improvements, and enforcement of existing regulations. Public input will play a significant role in determining whether increased enforcement or structural changes are necessary.

The study began earlier this year and is expected to be completed by June 2025. The Town of Tryon is funding the project, although the exact cost has not been publicly disclosed. The commission, based in Rutherfordton, oversees the entire process and reports directly to Tryon Planning Director Tim Daniels. It also works with other town officials, including Tryon Downtown Development Association Executive Director Lourdes Gutierrez.

The study represents a major investment in Tryon’s future, providing not only a clearer understanding of the town’s parking challenges but also long-term recommendations for sustainable development. The town’s approach to managing and expanding its parking infrastructure could significantly impact local businesses and tourism.

While the study is extensive, there has been limited public awareness regarding its full scope. Additionally, it remains unclear how the study’s findings will be shared with the public and whether recommendations will be implemented.

Toney has assured that public participation will be encouraged, with findings made available through town hall meetings and open forums. “We want residents and business owners to be able to review the results and weigh in on what makes the most sense for Tryon’s future,” he said.

The study remains ongoing, and its impact on Tryon’s downtown parking strategy will unfold over the coming months. As discussions continue, balancing business needs, visitor accessibility, and town resources will be crucial in shaping the town’s parking future.