In the very recent past, the Christiansburg Town Council decided to eliminate parking meters. These were seen as being problematic (people didn't know times/dates they were to be used or meters didn't work and enforcement was random), and a deterrent to doing business (you can park at a mall lot for as long as you like).
Discussions held when this decision was made included the fact that many people come downtown for multiple reasons -- visiting the old post office, banking, hair appointment, shopping, eating. So a two hour limit could be bit of a nuisance or another discouragement to having a vital downtown.
Recently, a few complaints were received and were probably related to County Courthouse "regulars" who abuse this policy, parking in short term spaces rather than using the county parking lots -- many of these folks are probably the same people who blew off feeding the meters when they were still in place. The poles are still in place, so a change may not be that difficult, but one wonders whether enforcement will be put in place effectively, thereby dissuading abusers to walk a few more steps and change old habits.
Suggestions were previously made to limit parking at the town square areas (at Antiques on Main, Post Office and South Franklin Street) to 30 minutes or less as a first step; now however, the Street Committee (Councilmen Dan Canada and Brad Stipes) have asked for this item be put on the council's next agenda as they were ready to make proposed changes.
It is expected that parking regulation signs will be installed, again limiting parking to two-hours or less throughout the downtown area. How this will be enforced may also come into the discussions, as well at the hours/days of the week the limit may apply to.
How did the Streets Committee arrive at their anticipated recommendation? Did anyone check with ALL downtown businesses to get input on owners thoughts or business needs? Do they have any off street parking and so this doesn't matter? Do their customers use other parking lots and worry about it becoming an issue? Do their customers come and go in less than 2 hours, so it's not an issue even if they are running multiple errands?
Our unofficial poll of downtown businesses showed that most are NOT aware of this anticipated change, nor the complaints. Most respondents feel that it's (a) a non-issue as their customers have private parking or are in and out in less than 30 minutes or (b) think two hours is too short and the abusers won't be encouraged to change their own poor behavior.
If this is a problem because of county business, has anyone checked with the county to see if they will take steps to curtail abuses? Could this be addressed at just the town square area, or would the abusers simply move to other areas a little further away, just shifting instead of eliminating the problem? Courthouse regulars are focused on The Law, yet abuse stated or tacit rules regularly in Christiansburg, on something as simple as parking???
Please think about how this could affect sustaining economic growth in the newly "re-opened" downtown. Consider attending the Street Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 1 @ 7 pm or the next Town Council meeting on Tuesday, July 1 @ 7:30 pm in the Town Hall, or contacting a council member via email or telephone, or calling the Mayor or Town Manager's office to express your opinion (see www.christiansburg.org/council.htm for any published contact information). Please share this information and discuss it with your Christiansburg neighbors.
This isn't much of a concern to businesses who have walk-in customers or provide private off-street parking, or those needing less than two-hours to take care of their business downtown.
The point is the "Street Committee," and therefore Town Council, appears ready to act. What input they are using as a basis for an immediate change will be worth hearing. In the meantime, new blogger and councilman Brad Stipes offers his insights on this topic. Attend the meetings on July 1 to see the decision making process.