Item A: Downtown Parking - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment E free areas could go a long way in creating some goodwill in the community. Corvallis seems to have a program of free and metered parking areas, perhaps you've already looked to see if there is some possibility for that here? If removing meters is going to mean that the city comes to the DT businesses for additional money, however, I will not be inclined to support that. The main thing I notice is that visitors feel anxious and rushed when they have parked in a meter. They might just poke in their head after having coffee across the street, but "can't stay - I'm on a meter - and last time they fined me!" And it is so embarrassing for the business owner, as if they have been made to pay because we've done our best to engage them. Often I here people say they drive by and IF they see a parking spot they'll come in. People still seem confused about the parking structure - where it is and when it's free. My family alone had numerous tickets over the years, often because we are doing a quick drop off and someone ends up asking us questions, or wanting to talk. But that doesn't bother me as much as how rushed my regular visitors seem due to the fine they might receive from lingering a bit too long. Growing up in Eugene, I remember the luxury of free parking, and how inviting it can be. I love going to smaller towns in Oregon where there (often more charming-sorry) downtowns don't require the hassle of digging for change and worrying about tickets. Small town hospitality. I always feel like I'm really welcome. Eugene feels too small still to warrant meters. Having free parking easily available downtown would feel like a big support to downtown businesses like mine. All the major shopping centers, like Oakway and Valley River Center have free parking. They encourage people to spend time, visit multiple store, and SPEND MONEY! The economic down turn is potentially devastating for our small businesses. I sincerely hope some progress can be made with this meeting. Sorry this is a bit rambling. This is a true love hate relationship with an inanimate object. If I need a spot to park for a few minutes, they help make sure there is available parking, when I forget I left my car at a meter it cost $12.00 (48 times the quarter it cost). If downtown street parking became “free one-hour parking” and was enforced during the posted hours it would be OK with my business. Two hours will make the customer feel that they do not have to be rushed to enjoy a one hour lunch period while downtown. Mark tires to enforce time limit. Increase parking fines to make up for lost revenue caused by free parking time. There is a handicap placard downtown employee who parks at the metered space in front of one of my businesses M-F, 8 hours a day, and 5 days a week. Please encourage/allow those employees who need handicapped parking to park in another location that would be closer to the door of their workplace and also free up valuable street parking. It discourages people from coming shopping downtown. Feels like our current parking system has a very negative impact on commercial activity in the downtown core. There is maybe no better way to punish people for shopping downtown than for them to come back to their car and find a parking ticket. Feel that parking meters serve as a deterrent for people to park for extended length of time that may or may not use services downtown. No complaints about meters. It’s expected. Some customers complain about meters but decline when offered a quarter to pay for it. Moxie 2-hour limit doesn’t allow access to full services and lunch.