By L. Parsons With the popularity of the Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, nearby businesses are struggling, not with visitors but with having places for those visitors to park. The Winslow Theater is located less than one block from the famous, Standin’ on the Corner Park is one of those businesses. Theater owner Debbie Martinez said, “The problem is parking. There is none. People are parking around the block or just not coming to the theater. We are struggling to stay open already because of streaming and other things but this is just making it impossible for people to come to the theater.” Downtown Winslow is made up of about three square blocks, and parking has always been limited. Making it even more of a problem, though, is the inability for patrons to use the parking lot located directly across the street from the theater. Martinez explained, “The roof of that building, the Desert Scene Lodge, fell in May 23. I called the police department about it that long ago. There were cars in the lot when it collapsed and thankfully no one was hurt and no cars were damaged but we don’t know what the building is going to do next. It could fall and ruin a vehicle or someone could be crushed.” The Winslow Public Works Department came to the lot on the day of the collapse Martinez said. “But all they did was put up those barriers and caution tape. They haven’t been back since and the tape is all over the ground.” This presents several issues. The first being the parking spots that are not available for visitors to downtown. The second, as Martinez said, is the homeless and transient population in the area. She said, “At night, we have some people who sleep in the gazebo and the First Street Park there, half a block from the theater. My patrons as well as my employees are having to park along First Street and walk to their cars in the dark because there are no street lights over there, late at night. Think about the elderly people who come to the theater. They won’t or some can’t make that walk, and our employees have been harassed by some of the homeless and you know, our employees are students.” To add to the frustration, the building in question is located at 104 E. First Street, directly across the street from City Hall. In response to the problem, Winslow City Manager John Barkley said, “The City intends to purchase and demolish the property, we have contacted the owner and drafted a purchase agreement.” However, when asked about a timeline on the demolition, he said, “Since the deterioration began to show on the exterior of the building, the City decided to try and purchase the building rather than take it through a protracted condemnation process. We can take it down quicker that way.” He then vaguely stated that his goal was to have the project completed and additional parking spaces available before the annual car show which takes place on Oct. 1 and 2. Martinez continued, “We all want business down here but people aren’t coming. They just drive by because there is literally nowhere to park. Not only that but it is a serious eye sore and a safety hazard.” The Winslow City Council will discuss and possibly take action on an ordinance that will allow the acquisition of the property at the next city council meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
