Is there a solution for the longtime scarcity of parking in the borough of Catasauqua? It seems there will be new space available to alleviate the problem in the Iron Works project along Front Street, but some thoughtful planning is needed before development of the property begins.

At the conclusion of the Jan. 5 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, Council President Vincent Smith proposed the borough form an ad hoc committee to look at parking issues and street orientation in the downtown area.

"We have always had complaints about downtown parking and how difficult it is to navigate through the borough with all the one-way streets," he said.

The Iron Works development is scheduled to break ground in the fall. A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation proposal for improvements to the troubled intersection at Race and Lehigh streets would change traffic direction for portions of Front Street, which is currently one-way.

Another consideration is that the FedEx ground transportation hub proposed in neighboring Allen Township will add an unknown volume of traffic to borough streets.

"It makes sense to look at these traffic issues now," Smith said. "If any one of the projects requires a change in traffic orientation, we need to address not only the traffic, but the parking issues that come with the changes." Converting Front Street from one-way to two-way traffic, for example, would eliminate parking spaces on that street.

Smith's proposed committee would include the usual people involved in looking at parking.

"Borough officials and civic organizations will be part of the committee," he said. "But I think it's important to involve residents and business owners in the downtown area to add their perspectives."

Last month, the council authorized the borough manager to spend funds on a traffic study. The data gained from the study will be used in committee discussions.

Concept plans for Iron Works show a concentration of people and businesses on land that currently generates little traffic.

PennDOT's proposed changes for Race and Lehigh street junction would add traffic controls at three intersections along Race Street, one at Lehigh, one at Front Street, and another at Second Street. Some opponents of the PennDOT plan suggest the additional controls will add to rush-hour congestion on Race Street.

"We have funding for a traffic study," Smith said. "Input from residents, homeowners and business owners should be included in the study. We know that traffic and parking will be changing over the next few years as these projects come to fruition."

According to Smith, there may be options to use portions of the Iron Works site to relieve parking congestion downtown while development moves forward. Plans could change as the projects come on line.

Developing effective parking plans is key to developing the unique, boutique flavor in the downtown area envisioned by urban environmental planners Taggart Associates in their Iron Works marketing presentation.