Conversation on "Downtown Parking Issues"

I don't think a 2 hr. limit should be put on parking downtown if we are trying to encourage people to visit our "Downtown". Tourists interested in coming to the Antiques Mall to brownse then see the other places (Coffee Depot, other craft store) and then have lunch at any of the eateries will not want to have to move or worry about having to move their vehicle as this would probably take more than 2 hours.

What percentage of the people who come downtown are tourists? What percentage of those people are citizens? Are the shops and eateries in downtown focused on tourism or local customers or a combination of both? How do you successfully balance the needs of different businesses with the needs of citizens? Street Committee has a real challenge on this one!

I do not think parking needs a time limit anywhere except right at the court house where the problem is. Give those people tickets and do like in Roanoke. The more tickets the bigger the fine. Knowing you will get a ticket is what stops most people in Blacksburg and Radford and VT and Roanoke. Tickets are inconvient and can add up. If its still a problem after lots of tickets look at it again. Our encourage park and ride at the mall to take the bus into downtown. Just as cheap as driving and paying for parking. Town could also buy a few vacant lots and have paid parking like other downtowns. Add some bike lanes around downtown and bike racks while on the subject.