Affordable homes could be part of plan | Letter to the editor

To the editor:

Recently another reader suggested creating a parking garage to resolve the parking/driving situation in downtown Winslow, rather than the complicated, confusing (and likely aggravating) one-way (half-way) idea the city is now “floating.”

For a long time, I have felt that a parking garage serving downtown Winslow would be a great idea, along with reducing the traffic along Winslow Way in general — perhaps having regular ped-only times. Similar schemes have worked in other cities with plenty of “character”; see Burlington, Vermont, or Santa Barbara, California for example.

Here’s another idea for the city: If and when you build that garage, include modest affordable housing (studio/one bedroom) on the top floor. And then, work with the Village (Safeway, etc.) to develop a second level of affordable housing on top of the store level. Think about it.

KATHLEEN O’BRIEN CUNNINGHAM

Bainbridge Island