After months of discussion and deliberation, the Parking Meter Advisory Team has assembled the rough draft of their solution to the parking meter rate increase problem imposed by the bond funding scenario for the new Convention Center Hotel.
The proposal includes two main meter adjustments: a standard city-wide rate of 75 cents per hour and city-wide extended meter enforcement hours that would run until 10pm. This new flat rate would raise meter rates in some areas such as The Short North and Discovery District and lower meter rates in other areas such as Gay Street and Long Street.
“The pending recommendations for parking meter changes are going to have positive impacts on retail businesses in Downtown Columbus,” said Jeff Mathes, owner of Due Amici and Barrio and Advisory Team Member. “We will see lower hourly rates in hot spots and longer durations. Most importantly, the results will show the power of the stakeholders working together with our city officials to create new policies that will help the development of our city.”
In November, The City’s Public Service Department originally imposed a 50% across-the-board rate hike to all parking meters in order to raise $1.4 million to fund reserve bonds for the development of the new Convention Center Hotel. The move came with only a one-month advance notice and no public input. Many citizens were outraged by the move and responded accordingly with petitions and outcry at City Council meetings. Shortly afterward, the decision was reversed, meters were reset to their original rates and the Parking Meter Advisory Team was formed to come up with an alternate solution.
“A reasonable, competitive and standard rate throughout the city will allow a fair playing field throughout our retail districts allowing small business to flourish,” said Elizabeth Lessner, owner of the Betty’s Family of Restaurants and Advisory Team Member. “Later enforcement hours means retail can rely on spaces formerly occupied by valets.”
The details of the proposal are still being finalized by the Advisory Team, and ultimately, Public Service Director Mark Kelsey is still in charge of making the final decision.
Columbus City Council will be holding an upcoming public forum on parking meters and parking meter rates. The Advisory Team will present their recommendations, the Department of Public Service will make a presentation, and the public may offer testimony. The date of the meeting is still to be announced.