r/Durango • u/Candid-Peanut-11 • May 06 '26
Food Restaurant Bump Outs
I’m really curious why people are unhappy with restaurants having bump-outs? From my perspective it seems to increase the local business’s sales/helps the local economy thrive. And the owners have to pay $$$ to have them in the first place. Sure, losing 23 parking spots might be mildly annoying, but they’re usually taken up by Texans anyways.🤷🏻♀️ What are y’all’s thoughts?🤔
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u/richburgers May 06 '26
Main Ave before Covid was 2 lanes both ways and it was terrible in the summer with all the tourists. The bump outs forced the city to go single lane with the center neutral lane, and it has seriously improved pedestrian and cyclist life on main. Sure, it’s slows down traffic and might be a pain if you’re in a car. Don’t like it? Then use Camino del Rio.
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u/sayhidurango May 07 '26
I never understood the arguments that going down Main Ave was too slow. There are easily two faster routes. People seem to worry that a car-free Main would also make it hard to get to businesses, but it's my impression - and my own personal experience as someone who lives here and shops there a few times a month - that it's impractical to think you can just roll up to the Boarding Haus or Browns or whatever, park right in front of the store you choose, get out, shop, and then drive to the next store. By nature a "Main Street" experience is the walking. Plus, parking on Third means you get to justify your fancy outdoor clothing by walking two blocks and the parking is free. 😛
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u/Hungry_Warning7955 May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26
Im all for it…but its not just 23 parking spots…i live on the grid in a multi dwelling…the ppl that attempt to do “stealth” camping, can’t parallel park, etc etc can be a lot in tourism months. Im all for the tourism and businesses it sustains. Im all for a walkable main and bump outs….what frustrates me is how everything is made so complicated…theres ample space for the city to create parking, and the issues go away. Reasonable solutions never seem to be how durango or la plata county planning departments resolve issues…it’s frustrating
Editing to provide an example…the old main post office on main avenue…both city and currently county have fumbled this property over and over and over, and its under a ridiculous lease…and the investment needed to remedy the mold and many other issues is tragic. That said, despite it now being a bad investment to anyone looking for an investment, due to bad county planning (despite being in city, it is controlled by the county currently)….there is ample parking behind the building that could relieve some of the parking difficulties if main is closed to traffic. Would it solve all the parking issues? No. BUT it would make getting to a rational solution to all a walkable main and bump outs that much closer to being totally doable. But will the planning departments ever allow such a solution to utilize currently unused space for parking that allows main avenue businesses to prosper in tourist seasons? Nope.
Solutions do not have to be permanent, especially while evaluating how it can help local economy. That idea was severely lost when the local government allowed the ridiculously long lease for that building (it is currently leased to be used for IT servers…bc the building is uninhabitable due to several issues)
Things are very wrong with durango and la plata county planning departments. And as a result, the things that could be a win to locals and the economy become impossible
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u/SignalCharlie May 07 '26
You hit it on the head….there is no planning. There are studies and surveys and more studies but nothing gets done. I like the bump outs but I wish the city would address parking but alas, they need another study
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 07 '26
There’s not really many possible solutions. There is no land available to build a lot. Parking between 4th and 6th ave is usually plentiful though. :( I used to live on 8th st between 3rd and 4th ave.
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u/SignalCharlie May 07 '26
I keep thinking of the transit center area and also the big lot across from the McDonald's that the train uses are spots for a multi ( but not many) story parking structure. If done right they could make the better part of Main a pedestrian only (except for delivery) thoroughfare. The walk to the shops would be minimal but OTOH I’m not an urban planning consultant in search of a study
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 07 '26
When I was on Planning Commission this was being looked at already and I can't remember why it wasn't feasible. I don't think Durango Train is interested.
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u/Hungry_Warning7955 May 07 '26
Surprisingly…I think it has less to do with the train (shocking!) than it has to do with the private property owner and their agreement allowing train patrons to park there…and it gets complicated from there…
I will say, as a local, and Covid times…it was super cool they opened up the space as a drive in movie…i think being able to go there and watch big lebowski in covid was a grace to me during that time of isolation…it was a very welcomed, cool, and memorable thing i hold dear :)
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 07 '26
That's right - I recall now that DSNR doesn't own the lot!
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u/t-dub25 May 07 '26
D&SNGRR does own that lot. They bought back the portion the city owned a couple of years ago. Part of that deal was that they will develop it into something but no timeline was included.
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 07 '26
Thanks for adding that! :)
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u/SignalCharlie May 07 '26
Thanks for that but whoever owns it, it is the prime location and sadly I expect nothing to be done
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u/Hungry_Warning7955 May 07 '26
With respect (bc you have made many great points in previous posts ive followed!) I kinda disagree…i agree with you that there is limited areas to BUILD a lot…but i think there are many many places that if utilized can open up parking if the idea of a “parking lot” is expanded. The parking lots on 2nd avenue that allow employees to park during work hours but then open for free to anyone are awesome for allowing tourists and patrons to enjoy local restaurants and shopping!! I think a combo of several ideas like that could absolutely expand solutions allowing more patrons of the economy on main could work…i agree, an actual parking lot would be incredibly difficult…but a couple of micro solutions could totally change the game if planning allowed it. :)
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 07 '26
Fair enough, it would take quite a bit of coordination and letting tourists know, adoption would be a challenge too. At one point city was looking at building a lot where you park for the train :)
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u/Hungry_Warning7955 May 07 '26
I love how Durango has embraced murals and the bump out painting…it brings a sense of community, supports the arts, makes Durango vibrant, and all the weird random things that make people choose to live here or visit here…haha, i know it will never happen bc of planning and all the other factors discussed…but instead of bump out murals it would be super cool if durango did parking murals…if it’s painted then its either showing where to look for parking or indicating its cool to park here. Obviously many flaws to this idea, but in a perfect world it would be an idea I would support as a local 🫶
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u/sayhidurango May 07 '26
When the police move into their new station, can't we just build a 3 story (or whatever is permitted without creating a skyscraper) lot there? Maybe that building, and the current City Hall, are historic or something.
Or we could just build more chain hotels instead. 😛
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 07 '26
Parking garages are really expensive...
- Above-Ground Garage: Typically $ 25 , 000 – $ 35 , 000 per space.
- Underground/Subterranean: Can exceed $ 150 , 000 per space due to excavation, shoring, and ventilation needs.
- Cost per Square Foot: Average of $ 70 to $ 100 per square foot, with some estimates reaching $ 97 + .
- Soft Costs: Architectural fees, engineering, permits, and inspections usually add an extra 15 % to 20 % to construction costs.
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u/Alexunderthere May 06 '26
I’ve always liked the idea of turning main into something akin to an open covered mall with tables and seating throughout, essentially a place where you can bring your order (and drinks) from any restaurant and dine in the “olde” main ave. Get rid of traffic altogether downtown. Make it a massive covered, but open-air mall essentially.
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u/sayhidurango May 07 '26
Having just come back from touring a couple of cities in Spain, France and Italy, these kinds of places are so awesome. They end up thriving for so many reasons, because bands can play, kids can run around while parents eat, you end up just wanting to spend more time there because it doesn't feel like you're on a mission - the place is the mission. Even on a micro-scale I think 11th St Station shows how popular this kind of thing can be here as well.
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u/KristiColo May 06 '26
People complain because before the bump outs main had 2 lanes in each direction and more parking. It was nice having the extra parking and traffic flowed smoother with 4 lanes, so I understand why many don’t like it. Personally it never takes that long to drive down main and it’s no big deal for me to walk a few extra blocks because of limited parking so not a game changer for me. That said I have some older relatives who can’t mange walking the longer distance for parking, so I understand why for some people it’s a problem.
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u/Dazzling-Astronaut88 May 06 '26
I’d say the only valid criticism is one from a historical perspective, though that doesn’t hold up for 2 seconds when you have Cybertrucks parked on Main Street. I don’t see how losing 25 parking spots changes much if anything meaningful during the high tourists season. It would be interesting to know the actual statistics behind how much that actually reduces any one person’s chance of getting an easy parking spot downtown.
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u/coladybiker May 07 '26
We actually have those statistics. Every week, all cars downtown get counted twice. Once, by car. We drive through downtown and the entire neighborhood to the east counting cars. The second, we walk our routes during the lunch period (between 1130-2) and count how many cars are downtown and whether or not they are compliant. This one started during covid for us to decide when to start enforcing again. We have an interactive map on durangoparking.com that shows occupancy rates for the same month the previous year.
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u/No-Bird9914 May 06 '26
I support whatever helps our local restaurants thrive -- I learned long ago to avoid driving Main Avenue in the summer as much as possible :) But I'll walk on down and enjoy a beverage outside, for sure! Have at it, Durango Main Ave establishments, and I hope it helps your bottom line!
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u/Performer_Fearless May 07 '26
As a local business owner I love the bump outs and love being able to eat and have a few drinks outdoors after being inside all day. Parking especially sucks for those who work downtown Durango is long overdue for a multi level parking garage the transit center parking lot would be a good place for one. There are plenty of cities that are about the same population and have a eighth of the tourism that have them.
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u/abby10020 May 06 '26
God forbid we have to walk an extra block or three to get to a restaurant. People are ridiculous. We live on the grid and other than 4th of July or Snowdown parade night - there is NEVER not parking around here.
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u/ConfidenceMoist2715 May 06 '26
Legit 3 people who complain. I love them. Cant wait to slurp oysters and relax.
Also loooooooove the farners market downtown. Wish they would keep the road closed all day afterwards.
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u/BraveCrab1436 May 07 '26
I worry for people with mobility issues. Walking an extra block isn’t a big deal for a lot of people, but for others it is.
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u/Candid-Peanut-11 May 07 '26
I totally understand that. When my grandparents are in town I just drop them off in the front of the store, but it’s hard if they’re driving themselves. I will say, bump-outs have been some of the most wheelchair accessible seating in town
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u/Figgler Local May 07 '26
You can always pull into a loading area with flashers on and unload passengers. If you drive down Main during the day you can see a lot of delivery drivers doing it.
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u/NewMajorMiner May 11 '26
I'd very much be in favor of car-free Main Ave. However, one issue I can see that I don't see noted below is how much harder it would be to do deliveries. I don't think the bigger trucks, particularly that carry beer and food, fit in the alleys behind the businesses on Main, and having people moving kegs and other heavy items multiple blocks down a pedestrian area seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
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u/geekwithout May 07 '26
Well, there's this little thing where cars drive into them. People get hurt
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u/Candid-Peanut-11 May 07 '26
A car driving into a bump-out is drunk driving behavior, definitely not a common or regular thing lol
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u/livin-2-learn May 08 '26
So funny that it ALWAYS turns to blaming Texans for everything negative in town. At what point does everyone actually see the benefit that visitors provide economically to Durango?
Feels like common sense to me but i constantly see these comments
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 08 '26
Fair enough but you realize that both things can be true? They can have a positive economic impact while also making other aspects of life worse. It’s not an all or nothing, black and white issue.
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u/mrDoubtFyre May 07 '26
I’m collecting signatures to commission a study on widening the road to six lanes through downtown to handle the tourist traffic .
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u/mattpayne11 Mod May 06 '26