HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Willard
Connie Willard <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:parking
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I am sure you are being deluged with complaints about downtown parking. I would like to add my voice to this
outrageous change. I work in retail downtown. My wage is just over minimum wage. To pay for the parking garage is
almost a whole day of work for me. The alternative is to park on the street at least 4 or 5 blocks from my place of
work. That is also fraught with difficulties as most of the spaces are permit parking only. I am incensed by the lack of
regard for low paid wage earners who are necessary to keep this town afloat.
Our town relies on the tourist trade. The majority of people from out of town who come into our store complain about
our ridiculous parking fees. Locals say they no longer come downtown and prefer to shop either on line or in the
outlying shopping center.
Finally, our parking is much more expensive than other cities. Santa Barbara has lots that charge `1.75 per hour and
nothing for a partial hour. There are also lots that are free for two hours. Also most cities only charge for parking up to
6:00 while you charge until 9:00 pm.
The reasoning behind these exorbitant price hikes is said to be necessary to build new parking garage. I have heard on
good authority that there is a surplus of money in the parking coffers. Additonally, by the time the new parking garage
is finished, people will be so used to not coming downtown it won't be neceserry. More retail stores will close or move
to other accessible locations.
Downtown would have really benefited from a store like Nordstrom Rack but the large company chose to go for cheaper
rent and easy parking access rather than dealing with downtown.
The situation must change to avoid making our downtown a ghost town.
Connie Willard
conniewillard4@gmail.com
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