Parking improved for Hogan Street retailers

News

Staff Writer

There’s a new line of bright yellow parking meters along Hogan Street between Adams and Monroe streets. They were installed after business owners on the block asked City officials for a more retail-friendly parking environment by replacing a line of one-hour meters and a freight loading zone with short-term meters.

The business owners were represented by Vikki Wilkins who with her husband, Terry, owns the UPS Store across the street from the Ed Ball Building.

“When we opened our business in 2003, there were 15-minute meters here on the street, but those were removed when the federal courthouse opened,” she said. “We have 200 mailboxes here in the store and there’s an ATM right across the street. I can’t tell you how many times I saw someone get a $25 ticket for parking in the loading zone for a few minutes to use the ATM or pick up something from one of the stores.”

Robert Carle, chief of the City’s Parking Facilities and Enforcement Division, said the city listened to the business owners.

“Businesses on that block depend on their customers getting in and out in less than 30 minutes. When the business owners asked us to consider the change, it made sense, so we put it on the fast track and got it done,” said Carle.

The meters are 25 cents for 30 minutes.

There also are new signs on the City’s Downtown parking garages directing motorists to public parking. Eight new signs have been installed on the Ed Ball Building garage, the garage near the Main Library, and the Yates Building and Water Street garages.

Paul Crawford, deputy executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, said the new wayfaring signage is also an initiative identified in the City’s Downtown Action Plan.

“Parking is one of the major factors in the success of a Downtown business,” he said. “We wanted to make sure people know long-term parking is available at City garages as well as at privately owned garages and lots. There’s plenty of parking, but it can be hard to find.”

Crawford also said about half of Downtown’s parking is “underutilized” and parking at the City’s lots is a good value.

Carle agreed and said, “We charge $1 an hour during the day and parking at a City garage, near the Florida Theatre for example, is just a $5 flat fee for special events.”

Wilkins said the results on Hogan Street were immediate and she thinks the City is on the right track with the new half-hour meters. They allow people to park, but the shorter time limit means more parking opportunities for more customers.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she added.