By Paige Lambert
The city of Kyle and Down South Railhouse are continuing plans to alleviate parking issues on the restaurant’s corner of Old Highway 81.
“When we opened there was cars all up and down the street and they were parking at other businesses and along the roads,” Charlie Benner, co-owner of Down South Railhouse, said.
The crowd caused more issues after the March 5 grand opening when some vehicles began parking by and blocking stop signs.
Leon Barba, city engineer, said the city wants to install no-parking signs and possibly more parking spots to alleviate the hazard. However, the right-of-way is owned by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Barba said he plans to meet with the Public Works Department and the Kyle Chief of Police to create a map of where the signs will be placed. The map will be sent to TxDOT with an ordinance allowing the city to make changes on the right-of-way.
The map and ordinance will also go to city council and TxDOT again for any amendment needs. He said the process would take about a month.
“Once we get their blessing we will move forward with installing the signs,” Barba said.
Even with the city’s involvement to resolve the issue, DSR has been working to improve their parking predicament.
“The rain has stopped us from doing anything because it caused a big mess,” Benner said. “But we plan to start working on parking at the end of the week.”
DSR matched a $25,000 economic development grant from the city. Howard Koontz, director of planning, said the grant will go towards parking and structural improvements.
Benner said the business plans to move the fireline up to the front to add more parking spots. They also plan to lay a road base that will keep the lot flat and stable, even when it rains.
“It’s real expensive to pave a parking lot, like tens of thousands of dollars,” Benner said “So we are just trying to get the best with what we can and keep it as natural as possible. In the sense that rain can go through and not cause more crap out there.”
The business has also expanded its parking areas to five acres by obtaining a lot on Old Highway 81.
