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In November, Columbus’ Director of Public Service imposed a unilateral 50% parking meter rate increase throughout Columbus. The policy was approved by the mayor. Due to the way Columbus’ policies are written, neither city council nor the general populace were invited to weigh in on the final plan, muchless question its validity. Every parking meter in Columbus is now slated to be reprogrammed to be 50% more expensive before the end of the year.
Many voters have expressed great opposition to the initiative, and moreso to the manner in which it was implemented. In response to the move, the Short North Business Association has drafted an open letter to the mayor outlining a variety of requests from the community.
If you would like to read the letter and add your name to the growing petition endorsing the letter, please do so by following this link: Citizens for a Collaborative Columbus Government
Please feel free to pass this link along to other concerned citizens!
Update: 12/15/09 – Our voices have been heard! After accumulating over 1000 signatures in the first 36 hours, the Public Service Department announced that they will be rolling back meter rates for further study. Thank you!
Sure, every voice counts but is there a threshold (# of signatures) that is really important to reach?
@lizless:
City Research on meter replacement and fee increases:
Duh, those meters look old. We should totally replace them.
Dude, while we’re at it, we should totally jack the rates up.
We are sooo stoned.
Up to 976 signature, including one from someone with the last name of Lazarus. That’s a big name around here, isn’t it?
I think the dude had something to do with a retail store downtown one time.
We got a lot of calls from media today in response to this petition. I saw a spot on 10tv tonight:
http://bit.ly/7q8s0B
DavidF Says: Duh, those meters look old. We should totally replace them. Dude, while we’re at it, we should totally jack the rates up. We are sooo stoned.
Come now. You’re not accomplishing anything like that.
Mike Brown Says: Mayor Coleman issued this on Friday in response to this issue.
This petition was actually started on Sunday in response to Mayor Coleman’s lack of immediate action on this issue. ;)
Sounds like something actually might be done to stop the rate hike!
Sorry if I offended anyone. But I can’t be the only person who sees the city’s actions as approaching high farce.
@DavidF I think many of us are equally frustrated.
Parking meter rate increase will be halted for six months pending recommendations from the work group. Thanks to so many of you for your letters and support for our urban small business community.
Columbus Dispatch Editorial: Short takes
Saturday, December 19, 2009 2:59 AM
• MAYOR MICHAEL B. Coleman acted wisely when he decided to rescind a recently imposed increase in parking-meter rates.
Downtown and Short North business owners complained that they were not adequately consulted before city officials imposed the rate increase Nov. 30.
They feared that the new rates would hurt their businesses during the vital Christmas season, on top of the downturns they’ve suffered as a result of the recession.
Coleman remains committed to raising more revenue from parking to help finance a new hotel near the Greater Columbus Convention Center and replace aging parking meters. But he recognizes that it is better to work with business owners to achieve this, rather than alienating them. An advisory council will take up to six months to come up with a plan.