By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Berlin Town Council agreed to reallocate remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds set aside for other capital projects to be moved to downtown parking efforts.

At the governing body’s Tuesday, Nov. 12 meeting, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall recommended that the council agree to reallocate chunks of remaining money from the ARPA fund to remedy parking issues, like a lack thereof, in downtown Berlin. ARPA is an economic stimulus package passed by the United States Congress in 2021 to provide monetary COVID-19 relief to entities like local governments.

Within the fund, the leftover $64,102.80 from the Rails and Trails phase two line item, a project to install a shared-use bike and pedestrian path along Berlin’s railroad, will be reassigned to a new parking line item, as will $100 leftover from the completed strategic plan item.

Tyndall said the Town of Berlin has been working to address parking supply issues. While the reallocated funds will not get the town to where it needs to be to fully complete parking remediation, the mayor said that the additional money will be a start. Efforts to address parking concerns have been ongoing, including exploring additional opportunities for parking lots as well as the need to repave existing parking lots that are either public or privately owned but used by the public.

Councilmember Steve Green noted parking is a priority for him. He referred to the mayor’s request each council person offer to be the point person on goals in the strategic plan. Green offered to take the lead on parking.

“We have our six-month review of our strategic plan coming up, and aside from the summer grassroots effort to encourage business employees to park at the church, we have really nothing to report as far as an update on efforts to address our parking shortage. We all know it and live it here in Berlin,” Green said. “There is a pressing need for us to address this in a meaningful way. These leftover dollars are merely a start, but this is a major concern of mine and it’s shared by not only business owners who deal with it daily but also town residents and visitors.”

Tyndall acknowledged, “Supply is where we want to go first.” The mayor added that he hopes the full amount of the repurposed funds will be utilized by 2026.

While in support of funds being set aside for parking, Councilman Jack Orris wanted other uses for the ARPA funds, suggesting in part to set aside $4,000 from the funds to address an overgrown ditch area in District 2 impacting stormwater management. Councilmembers Dean Burrell and Shaneka Nichols as well as Town Administrator Mary Bohlen worried about the precedent it would set for other property owners who have complained over ditch overgrowth impacting stormwater. Finance Director Natalie Saleh did not think ditch maintenance was a sound use of the ARPA funds.

A motion was made by Burrell to assign the $64,102.80 and $100 to a parking line item for the ARPA capital projects, which will be under the general category. The motion was seconded by Green and passed unanimously.

After the meeting, Green said Berlin is becoming known for not having suitable amounts of parking. He said he knows of local companies who have opted to move their monthly business lunches to West Ocean City rather than Berlin to avoid the parking hassle. He said he disagrees with the sentiments stated by some that Berlin has a walking problem, not a parking problem. Green said he serves on a parking subcommittee with Councilman Jay Knerr and Tyndall and town officials who are evaluating options for an additional parking lot as well as improving the lots the town has currently.

“Berlin cannot meet the demands of our visitors with the current supply of parking. It’s a fact most of the year, and it actually impacts many of our residents too. Daytrippers from elsewhere and visitors from Ocean City cannot walk to Berlin, so that’s not a realistic solution to say we just need to walk or bike more. I wish it was that simple,” Green said.

Green added, “The perception is Berlin does not have enough parking. That perception may not always be the reality every day, but the parking shortage is putting a cap on our businesses’ financial models when we can’t accommodate the demand of their customers. These business folks hear about parking just about every day from those I speak to routinely. Our parking problems are a sign of success, but we must strive to address this issue once and for all in a meaningful way. We know it’s going to cost money.”