Article Contributed on: 2/6/2009 11:01:01 AM
On January 8th 2009 I wrote an article about the parking problems on the east side of the Wells Fargo Bank. That article is at this link:
Parking at Belmar - Handicap Violators are Many.
In that article I pointed out the many times I have observed bank customers crowding into the small area at the bank entrance, blocking the traffic lane and using the handicap spots without a valid handicap sticker or placard.
One reader contacted me then by phone in support of my concerns and suggestions. She and I talked just this morning about the problem again, and we are planning to meet with the Belmar property manager to talk with him about the entire issue, and some positive suggestions we have to help solve the problem.
I can't mention her name in this article because I did not get her permission, but I did enjoy talking to her and learning more from her perspective. I look forward to having the meeting which she agreed to set up, and I assured her that I would make every effort to attend and participate.
She suggested that the bank add one more handicap spot, while adding signs to the first few spots in the front row nearest the bank indicating the spots would be 5 minute parking for ATM users. I thought these were both good ideas and steps in the right direction. Another idea we discussed was more complicated, involving the remote possibility that the bank might move and occupy the now vacant store to the south of the DSW Shoes.
If the bank were to relocate to that area, there would be plenty of parking and room to install a motor bank, and an outside ATM. I am imagining this is something not likely to happen, but seems to be a good idea looking from the outside to the inside as we are. We both wonder why the TCF Bank got that big area to the east, while Wells Fargo was crammed into the spot they now find too small.
I want to make something clear here: I am not bashing Belmar or the Wells Fargo Bank by talking about this issue. I am interested in seeing some positive things happen to make the matter more manageable so people who need to use the handicap spots can do so without difficulty. I also feel there is some degree of danger for older customers who must make their way through the maze of cars and trucks to get to the bank entrance.
In my previous article I suggested that Belmar security should be present during busy periods to assist people in using the parking properly, but in my many visits to the bank since January 8th I personally have not seen them stopping by, but I must be fair and admit that it may be happening when I was not around. I was there on a busy Saturday 2 weeks ago, and I did not see them in the area.
The parking difficulties are still there of course, and I stopped by yesterday to visit the bank and took some new pictures to demonstrate just a few of the many problems that occur there. When you look at these pictures, realize that these are just a fraction of what happens on any busy day at this bank, especially on Saturday mornings.
If any of you who read this article are in support of a positive solution to the problems with parking on the east side of the Wells Fargo Bank feel free to join us in the lobby to change the situation. Leave a comment here or send me an email at ==>
febanker@comcast.net. When we have our meeting with Belmar, we can include your comments and suggestions as well as our own. Also I believe the number at the Belmar office is
303 742 1501.
These newer pictures I have uploaded show just a couple of typical examples of why a security guard in the area would be a positive deterrent to this kind of congestion in front of the bank door. Since a delivery vehicle is parked here in both examples, it reminds me to mention that there is really no real loading zone in the area for these trucks and vans to use. This all goes to my comments in the first article about how this entire thing was planned poorly when Belmar was first conceived and planned.
I have always wondered why this busy bank, which had a motor bank in it's previous location to the west, was squeezed into this little corner with limited parking and no motor bank? Thoughts to ponder I guess. Does anyone out there know why they did it this way?