Citing a need for downtown parking, a public official in Stockton, California, has proposed demolishing eight historic hotel buildings to build parking lots.
"Emboldened by a report that found a lack of parking downtown, a Stockton official said he will push his proposal to demolish eight historic hotels and to pave parking lots in their place."
"Preservationists promised to oppose the demolition, and City Council members suggested at least some of the hotels could be saved."
"The hotels - built from 1870 to 1930 and closed in code enforcement sweeps beginning in 2001 - are beyond repair, Redevelopment Director Steve Pinkerton said. His proposal to pave 130 parking spaces in their place was bolstered last week by a consultant's report that the downtown has a shortage of parking, so much so that the city has oversold passes in two garages and one lot by more than 20 percent."
"For the downtown to be successful, businesses there must be able to compete with shops in north Stockton, where parking is plentiful, Pinkerton said."
FULL STORY: Push to raze historic Stockton hotels picking up steam

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