After decades providing free on-street parking, a small Michigan city, planned to install parking meters this summer.
Then, in a dance familiar to many downtown leaders who have tried to raise parking rates, a public outcry ensued. Eventually, the city abandoned the plan.
Many downtown leaders fear losing shoppers and other visitors if they implement parking fees. Richard W. Willson author of Parking Reform Made Easy suggests otherwise.
While people may grumble about paid parking and threaten to go elsewhere, that’s a bluff, he says. “People who spend $100 on dinner say they won’t pay $3 to park. A few people may do that, but most will go to the restaurant they like. People will pay for parking to gain access to a district with competitive businesses. Instead of improving their businesses, uncompetitive districts hold on to free parking like it is a life preserver in a stormy sea, thinking it draws customers. The stakeholders screaming the loudest about parking charges probably spend the least money in the district.”
More on improving access and parking appears regularly in the pages of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
Click below to learn more about Downtown Idea Exchange and other resources for revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors.