Re “Parking Changes Are on the Way”
Now that Downtown has fulfilled its mission, it is critical to ensure that the area does not fail due to infrastructure issues.
If I were adjusting the Downtown parking situation, I would:
1) Increase meter rates from $1 to $2 per hour.
2) Increase enforcement to 7 days a week, 2 hours maximum, enforce until 9 p.m.
3) Pass a No Meter Feeding amendment to the parking meter ordinance.
4) At the Watseka and Cardiff parking garages, leave intact 2 free hours until 5 p.m. Then charge a flat rate of $5 per car.
5) At the Ince structure, maintain the 2 free hours for all times of the day and night.
Mr. Handal, a former Downtown business owner, may be contacted at sgrest@aol.com
