THE IDEA OF PARKING METERS Downtown didn't thrill me at first. It brought to mind the time I raced through downtown Monterey dragging two small, cranky children only to find the meter had expired and a ticket was already sitting on my windshield.
But today's high-tech parking meters are a little different. The new WiFi-enabled, solar-powered variety allow you to pay with a credit card for unlimited time or you can remotely put extra time on your parking spot from any meter in the network. Some of them even call your cell phone if your time is expired.
The idea behind the meters Downtown is to allow turnover and provide spaces to people who need to get in and out of the coveted nearby slots quickly.
The idea grew on me the day I needed to get a surfboard worked on at Wet Sand Downtown and had to park nearly in Oxnard because it was so crowded. As I walked blocks and blocks with a longboard, taking down pedestrians in my wake, the idea of being able to find nearby parking seemed quite appealing.
The Downtown Ventura Organization is gung-ho on this idea. Not only will it allow turnover, but any net revenues could go to extra police, maintenance, landscaping, a new parking structure, benches and signs Downtown.
The City Council voted Monday night to officially establish a plan to install the meters on spaces on Main and side streets which are currently 85 percent utilized. Residents would receive special permits. The parking structure and lots would still be free.
Interestingly, the plan is being paid for indirectly by the City of Oxnard. Ventura is paid traffic mitigation fees from the River Park development and a loan will come from this fund.
AND ON ANOTHER FRONT: The council ended the rental housing inspection fee brouhaha quickly last night with a vote to simply shift building inspectors from the city's Construction Permits program into the City's Code Enforcement program with the goal of reducing substandard housing in general. This is a good idea, since building has slowed across town due to the bad economy. Cost recovery for the program would be paid through an already established fine system for rental code violators.
Landlords packed Council chambers in December complaining about several of the alternatives of a plan to regulate one- to three-unit rentals, which are now entirely exempt from taxes. I covered this issue in more detail in a past entry.
City staff acknowledged their lack of finesse in handling this matter, which brought out 47 speakers to a recent meeting, including the usual suspects who this time accused city staff of trying to force senior citizens out of their houses through the proposed program.
The City of Pasadena has a system which is much cheaper to install and just as effective: they place one meter at the middle of each block, the person puts in the money/credit card, gives the space number and continues on.
It could be they do one of those. Nothing has been decided yet.
Well Marie, you and I agree on almost all issues, but this one we'll have to agree to disagree. For the life of me, in tough economic times, and with the current mix of Downtown business expanding/dwindling, I don't think round three of the parking meter's are a prudent move.
If I were a Downtown merchant, as many of my friends are, I would be concerned about the potential shoppers who may be discouraged and flee to the Mall in lieu of paying for parking. Downtown shopping is EVOLVING, but doesn't warrant the installation of parking meters, YET...if ever. We aren't anywhere near Pasadena in the level/realm of retail. Maybe someday...but not in this challenging economy. Revisit this issue in a healthier economic climate ?
Or, simply accept that Ventura is a different marketplace and celebrate the fact of our uniqueness ?
I felt that way at first, too. But the remote lots and parking garage where I always park anyway are still free. Now maybe if I want to run in and out of Palermo for coffee or Savory for a brownie I can find a spot. The other problem I had with parking on the street is that it is just 2 hours. So if I parked there I would have to move my car. I moved my car four times on election day when I was working in HBJ's office.
I routinely pay to park in Santa Barbara and Santa Monica when I shop there.
We'll just have to see how this all plays out. I expect people to howl about it. They didn't even like paying $1.49 a month for 911 service.
"The new WiFi-enabled, solar-powered variety allow you to pay with a credit card for unlimited time or you can remotely put extra time on your parking spot from any meter in the network"
AND
"The idea behind the meters Downtown is to allow turnover and provide spaces to people who need to get in and out of the coveted nearby slots quickly."
So.... if a person can park for an unlimited time and even remotely put extra time on a parking spot from any meter in the network, how will this provide turnover and spaces for people who need to get in and out of the coveted nearby slots quickly? Seems to me that these two ideas are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
I expect them to be used mostly for short outings. But if you couldn't get back to your car for whatever reason you wouldn't have to make a mad dash.
I missed you John Doe. Nothing like your always cheery posts to brighten my day. :-O
I think these electronic parking meters are a rip off scam designed to give out more parking tickets. They don't always work properly, and there have been some horror stories from LA county about them ripping off the credit card accounts, or having to double pay because you hit the wrong button.
Unless you drive a prius, then in LA you park anywhere for free.
One of the first things that attracted me to Ventura was being able to park downtown for free. That may sound silly, but coming from LA, the small yet significant welcome meant a lot! On another note, seventeen years later, the traffic on Poli has increased substantially as Main Street has grown, and now I worry about on-street parking availability as motorists avoid meters and park a block above. Last comment..with these tough economic times, won't people avoid quick errands downtown if they have to pay for the privilege of running into a shop?