by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
The Downtown Development Authority will partner with Downtown Vision, Inc. to advocate downtown parking solutions to the Peyton administration.
DDA chairman Bob Rhodes said Wednesday he would work with DVI to impress upon Mayor John Peyton the importance of available parking. Rhodes will also propose solutions to the City’s estimated 3,000-space shortfall.
“Parking is a major concern,” said Rhodes. “It’s important to the continuing vitality of downtown business and development.”
The proposed solutions are largely left over from a 2001 DVI report. Although some small steps have been taken, Rhodes said the heavy lifting still remains. Recommendations such as increased rates and fines at City-owned meters will require legislative action and Rhodes said that will require a cohesive strategy.
Additionally, Rhodes said he would advocate better signage, directing drivers toward parking and a downtown parking summit that would bring policy makers together with advisory boards and private stakeholders.
According to the DVI study, workers and business owners agreed that parking was downtown’s No. 1 problem. This year’s survey of 1,200 business owners produced similar results. Parking represented the primary challenge to keeping businesses downtown.
Board member David Auchter said the City’s parking issues stem from a lack of leadership.
“All these problems are symptoms of the same disease,” said Auchter. “That’s management. We need a formal entity to take ownership of these recommendations. We need a stalwart; somebody that’s going to fight for this.”
Auchter proposed a City parking authority. That suggestion found support from some, but Rhodes said it would be difficult to implement. He said it would likely require changes to State laws and amendments to City ordinances.
There was no dissent from the board on the need to increase meter rates and fines. Neither has changed in almost 20 years. Auchter said the current 25-cent rates and $5 fines encourage motorists to leave their cars in front of the meters. It costs less to pay the fine than to park in most downtown lots.
“If I go to a symphony board meeting at the T-U Center, I’ll pay $8 to park,” Auchter said. “I’ll leave my car in front of a meter all day for $5. It’s not a disincentive.
“In Palm Beach, if you get a parking ticket, it’s a $25 fine. It’s a fine you don’t want to get.”
Following an advisory to its parent body, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, Rhodes said the DDA would lobby City Hall “as soon as was practical.”
Auchter said that City-subsidized downtown development was rapidly outpacing its efforts to provide parking. Soon, he said, a lack of parking would drive commuters, shoppers, workers and ultimately businesses away.
“This is the year of fixing parking procedures,” said Auchter. “If not we’re going to get behind it, playing catch up will be a painful process.”