VERO BEACH — Since its inception, the Vero Beach Art District Downtown Art Stroll occurring the first Friday of every month has been a huge draw for both locals and tourists alike. Beachside residents have discovered the art galleries and high quality restaurants located on and around 14th Avenue between 16th and 21st Streets.
With this swell of interest, particularly during the winter season, there has also been an issue of parking for the 250 plus people who look forward to this monthly event. To address the parking problem and create an even more hospitable environment for gallery and restaurant patrons, the Art Gallery Owners group with help of the Cultural Council has contracted Go-Line to provide a shuttle service from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the evening of the event beginning Friday, Feb. 6th.
To access parking simply use the City parking lot just west of the railroad tracks which is bounded north and south by Route 60 (19th Place and 20th Street). The City is in the process of placing new directional signs to more clearly direct drivers to the lot. The shuttle will make a loop going north on 13th Street, west on 21st and then down 14th Avenue making five stops before turning east on 18th Street and heading back to the lot. The shuttle will make a continuous loop until approximately 9 p.m.
Lila Blakeslee of Gallery 14 took the initiative to contact the City of Vero Beach, the managers of the Go-Line and rally the Gallery owners into action. If the shuttle proves to be a popular solution then service could continue throughout the year.
City Manager Jim O’Connor will be watching the success of this project closely as it could even serve as a model for parking issues beachside.
The First Friday Art Gallery Stroll is a function of the 14th Avenue Art Galleries and has been a financial boom to other business in the area as well. Several of those restaurants and real estate offices and even the Mason’s Lodge have set up art shows to take advantage of the Stroll. It is all part of the growing fascination with the revitalization of Vero’s Historic Downtown area. The addition of a parking shuttle should make the experience all the richer for everyone.