Using the power of your imagination, pretend you are looking at a shiny new parking lot where this block of Valmont used to be ... as you ride in a hot air balloon ... sipping cognac ... and wearing a top hat.

According to the Leader-Telegram, the proposal for a new 25-stall private parking lot on Valmont Avenue was soundly disliked by the majority of business owners at Monday's public meeting with the Eau Claire City Council. The proposed lot would be built between two strip malls on the west side of South Hastings Way. The overall consensus was that the addition would cause more confusion for customers as well as cripple their access to the buildings. Other owners complained about a lack of staff parking, especially during the current construction. 

The L-T also explained that the Plan Commission voted against the proposed parking lot earlier last week, and with the addition of complaining business owners the City Council will most likely put a stop to the plans. The City Council is set to  make a decision later today.  All in all, the odds are good this potential parking lot snafu won’t come to fruition.