Business owners propose meter changes
Downtown business owners are petitioning to change some meter time limits. The changes would allow people to stay for shorter periods of time while running quick errands. Enlarge video
If a group of downtown merchants has its way, there soon may be a new twist to the parking meter system on Massachusetts Street.
Representatives from about 40 different downtown businesses have signed a petition urging the Lawrence City Commission to designate four parking meters in each block — from Sixth to 11th on Massachusetts — as 15-minute meters.
“The current system is just deterring quick business coming in from off the street,” said Chris Lowery, manager of Meritrust Credit Union’s downtown branch.
He said customers almost daily tell him of having to drive around the block multiple times to find a place to park to quickly use the credit union’s ATM. He said restaurants complain of losing out on carry-out business, coffee shops miss out on some sales, and that several other businesses have services that would attract in-and-out customers.
Now, city commissioners have to be convinced.
Commissioners in July heard a similar proposal from Downtown Lawrence Inc., but rejected it over concerns that it would create confusion and eliminate too many two-hour parking meters.
“I still have the same concerns,” said City Commissioner Mike Amyx, who owns a downtown barber shop. “I think it has the potential to aggravate potential shoppers and people who patronize downtown.”
Lowery thinks the special meters could be clearly marked — perhaps painted a different color — to alert motorists that they’re not the standard two-hour meters.
The change to the meter system would come after other large-scale changes were implemented this summer. In August, the city increased the rates it charges at various parking meters, and also increased the fine for overtime parking.
Mayor Rob Chestnut said he wanted to see if those changes were causing motorists to vacate their parking spaces on Massachusetts more quickly than in the past.
“I think the new fines and fees will make people think more about whether they really want to park on Massachusetts or in a more cost-effective lot just off Massachusetts,” Chestnut said.
Commissioners meet at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
Comments
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Keith (anonymous) says…
How is this supposed to work, the meter readers don't come around that often.
dulcinea47 (anonymous) says…
In theory, this is not a bad idea.
But there are several practical problems.
What's going to stop people from just parking there for however long they want? A $3 ticket is not a deterrent. They'd have to have higher fines. Plus, see Keith's point about the meter readers.
ksjayhawk74 (anonymous) says…
This is not a good plan. Most of the people who park at these special meters won't understand they they can only be there for 15 minutes. Or they will understand how they work and just feed the meter every 15 minutes.
People need to realize that in the Downtown area, you're not going to get store-front parking all the time. There are plenty of big lots with several parking spaces available and are just a short walk to all the stores Downtown. Having to drive around the block several times? If you just park it in a parking lot, you could walk there and back in easy time plus save yourself gas and get a little (obviously much needed) exercise.
Having lived in New York City for several years, I'm used to not having a car at all and walking everywhere. So when people act like it's difficult to walk more than 20 feet from their car, it amuses me. Seriously, it only takes about 1 minute to walk a whole block.
cschott (anonymous) says…
Definitely not a good plan. I guess the local restaurants are not interested in having people dine for more than 15 minutes.
NOT a good idea at all. May have to take all of my business to the non-metered areas of Lawrence.
dulcinea47 (anonymous) says…
CSchott, it wouldn't be *all* the meters. Four per block might be too many though. Two might be more like it. Sometimes you just want to run into someplace and not make a 45 minute production of it.
irnmadn88 (anonymous) says…
I am for it as long as they "let" those businesses signing the petition pay for the program to be implemented. And why there isn't a colored coded meter system for the differing parking fee rates is beyond me... For example: Grey for 8 hours, Yellow for 2 hours, and Green for 15 minutes. (Red is taken by the No Parking covers they put over the meters and Blue is a standard color for Handicapped signs and curb paint.)
gatekeeper (anonymous) says…
They'll install these, but they won't be in front of business that want them. Then they'll complain. I'm sure most businesses would want these meters in front of their location.
Get off your butts people. If you have to walk a little bit to get your carry out, then do it. Burn a few of those calories you're about to injest. And people wonder why our country is so fat and in poor health. I picked up Rudy's last week. I parked behind in a lot because there was no street parking available, walked less than half a block and was back to my car within 5 minutes.
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
"Keith (anonymous) says…
How is this supposed to work, the meter readers don't come around that often.
For a $5 ticket every 16 minutes x 4 meters per block = 16 meters the city will put an attendant at each meter location with a chair inside a little ticket office and a time clock like they have at work. You will park, go into the office, get a ticket and punch it into the clock. Then when you come back to your car in 16 min, you put your ticket back into the time clock, the alarm goes off, you pay your fine and be on your merry way. Now that's easy enough ain't it? And airconditioning and heat are not out of the question for these ticket offices either.
Yeoman2 (anonymous) says…
Why not just get rid of the parking meters completely. My hometown in southwest Oklahoma got rid of theirs 40 years ago and got rid of the maintenance, upkeep (meter readers) and hassle to local shoppers. Didn't seem to affect anything there.
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
I don't favor this request. It will create more problems than it will solve, and will result in more frustration than already exists when trying to find an appropriate parking space downtown.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
Go ahead and set the meters for 15 minutes only, the expired will pop up, ticket hello?
BETTER yet, set the 15 minute meter to take 2 quarters for 15 minutes. That would be 50cents for 15 minutes. A luxury for parking quick should be worth 50cents.
They can't have it both ways. 15 minutes and then feed every 15 minutes.
A bus system in experimentation. A parking meter department in experimentation.
Wny doesn't the city just sell the parking lots and metered spaces to someone who knows how to run parking. Then the city could collect property taxes on the parking lots.
srj (anonymous) says…
When you where thinking of putting a bank downtown, did lack of parking ever come up?
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
What a PITA this would be. If they do this, then the only spots that will ever be available will be the PITA 15-minute ones because most people who bother to go downtown stay there longer than that--and, thus, will be frustrated at the prospect of a uselessly short-timed meter or, as dulcinea points out, they will just pay the $3 fine and stay there as long as they like. I predict that if the city adopts this harebrained idea, they will lose money at the converted meters.
I usually park in one of the free lots behind the stores (on Vermont or New Hampshire). Sometimes I will cruise down Mass first to see if there happens to be a free meter, but it doesn't take long to walk through a shop or around the block if you're in one of the free lots--or even over at the library, where there are some longer-timed meters.
Even if I only had a brief errand (say, picking up a copy order at Kinko's), I would never park in a 15-min spot. You never know when you might experience a delay or a snag. I usually put more money in the meter than I anticipate needing, just in case. An extra dime or quarter here & there has probably saved me dozens of (cheap but irritating) tickets. And if I do leave within 15 minutes (something any of these quickie shoppers are welcome to do), there's no penalty. It just frees the spot for the next person.
CrystalKU (anonymous) says…
Apparently no one here has tried to get in and get out of a store (especially in the 600 block) between 6:00-6:30 any night (particularly Thurs-Sat). There is not any parking within blocks of downtown. During that time it would very much appreciated to have 15 minute spots. Maybe they should designate them for certain times, like during the dinner rush.
beatnik (anonymous) says…
I think a lot of the problem would be solved if business owners/employees wouldn't park in front of their stores.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
Why make a fuss over this. Make it simple. 4 15 minute only meters in each block. After 15 minutes the expiraton pops up. The 15 minutes cost $1.00.
Very simple. I suppose these 40 merchants think that the 15 minutes should cost a nicke. The article never disclosed what the 15 minutes would cost.
The city still needs to go to my original plan sometime ago.
All lots metered. Quit paying a meter maid/or meterman money to carrry a piece of chalk around. Have them emptying meters instead of running out of chalk. Talk about a waste of time and labor intensive. But, hey the city has never figured out how much all of those lots downtown are really worth in today's dollars.
Parking on Mass. Leave it metered, but each 1/2 hour costs 50cents. Having 4 meters per block along with the goofed up handicapped stalls, that no handicapped can actually use they way the islands are laid out, with those spaces and the 15 minute spaces, there is not much left.
So what are these enterprising 40 business people proposing. A 15 mintue meter at each end of a block, or is the bank wanting them all in front of their bank?
Sell parking to some guy in New York city and then collect property taxes on the parking spaces and parking lots. Start running Lawrence like a business instead of a high school junior achievement business. Although , mine was quite successful having been sponsored by JF Pritchard enginnering firm. We made Alaskan Yo Yo s.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
Why make a fuss over this. Make it simple. 4 15 minute only meters in each block. After 15 minutes the expiraton pops up. The 15 minutes cost $1.00.
Very simple. I suppose these 40 merchants think that the 15 minutes should cost a nicke. The article never disclosed what the 15 minutes would cost.
The city still needs to go to my original plan sometime ago.
All lots metered. Quit paying a meter maid/or meterman money to carrry a piece of chalk around. Have them emptying meters instead of running out of chalk. Talk about a waste of time and labor intensive. But, hey the city has never figured out how much all of those lots downtown are really worth in today's dollars.
Parking on Mass. Leave it metered, but each 1/2 hour costs 50cents. Having 4 meters per block along with the goofed up handicapped stalls, that no handicapped can actually use they way the islands are laid out, with those spaces and the 15 minute spaces, there is not much left.
So what are these enterprising 40 business people proposing. A 15 mintue meter at each end of a block, or is the bank wanting them all in front of their bank?
Sell parking to some guy in New York city and then collect property taxes on the parking spaces and parking lots. Start running Lawrence like a business instead of a high school junior achievement business. Although , mine was quite successful having been sponsored by JF Pritchard enginnering firm. We made Alaskan Yo Yo s.
ksarmychick (anonymous) says…
Can we get a list of the 40 crybaby stores, so I can stop shopping at them? I would be really mad if I went downtown "found" and empty space, got my child out of the car and stroller, and went to pay the meter, only to find out it's only a 15 min one. I would not waste my time trying to find another spot, and I would take my money elsewhere to shop. This will only aggravate most shoppers since it is already hard enough to find a spot when trying to support downtown.
Liberty275 (anonymous) says…
The malls in topeka and KC don't have parking meters.
7texdude (anonymous) says…
Let's say if we put these "pop-up" ticket meters in downtown. What happens if people just drive off and leave the ticket? What's next? Camera on streetlights? Oh.
persevering_gal (anonymous) says…
Sure it's convenient to park in front of the store, but if I can't, that doesn't stop me from parking further away to get what I came to buy.
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
Put a sign on the meter post that says 15 minute parking only, then charge $3 for every 15 minute violation every 15 minutes. That would get someone to vacate the spot, or they'd be paying $12 an hour to park there. Put the four meters in the middle of the block next to the handicapped spots so the mid-block crosswalk is nearby. Oh, and 50 cents is probably a good price for the short meters, but it should be at least a quarter.
LarryNative (anonymous) says…
You can't get in and out of Chipotle in 15 minutes. How many businesses downtown can get a customer in and out in 15 minutes? Mass is for retail, not getting a home loan from some bank vultures. I'm sure the city will jump at the idea to write more parking tickets but it is not good news for downtown customers.
Crystal, meters are not checked after 5pm.
Uhjh (anonymous) says…
One word – Stupid!
sundancewierdo (anonymous) says…
The best they wil be able to do, is add a sign that says "take-out only" for restaraunts, and hope the honor system prevails. You know kind of like Hyvee and thier "new and expecting mothers" spaces.
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
No, it'll be easier to find a place to park, if all you're doing is grabbing something and leaving. If you're going to be downtown for awhile, you might as well park in one of the lots.
devilsrighthandman (anonymous) says…
I have a request too. Why is it that 3/4 of downtown Lawrence shops open at 11am or later. If business is what your looking for, open before the crack of noon. I get my hair cut at 9am and nothing else is open. Maybe I should ask for four shops per block to open before lunch.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
Representatives or owners of the businesses? Anyway, why doesn't the J/W just print the petition and give the public the facts about the story. I cannot think of any business downtown that 15 minutes would be enough for one to do business in the place, except maybe at the Masonic Temple, it;s VACANT.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
Representatives or owners of the businesses? Anyway, why doesn't the J/W just print the petition and give the public the facts about the story. I cannot think of any business downtown that 15 minutes would be enough for one to do business in the place, except maybe at the Masonic Temple, it;s VACANT.
parrothead8 (anonymous) says…
So, if they have 15-minute meters for the people who have to drive all over looking for parking places, that just means OTHER people will have to drive all over looking for parking places. What a stupid idea.
Apparently "about 40 different downtown businesses" are okay with:
1) More people coming downtown for under 15 minutes and parking directly in front of the one place they want to go.
2) Fewer people coming downtown, finding a parking place a block away, and walking by 10-12 businesses on their way to the place they want to go.
And we wonder why there are empty storefronts in downtown Lawrence.
puddleglum (anonymous) says…
I thought this was stupid at first, but after further consideration, why not try it out? It wouldn't cost anything to try it and see if it makes any difference...if it sux, we can switch back.
nobody1793 (anonymous) says…
I think Rudy's should put a "drive-thru" pick-up window in the alley behind the restaurant. That's about the only place I ever want to get in and out of quickly.
rando1965 (anonymous) says…
just glad there isn't any liquor stores downtown.drive around the block several times ? you are the ones that drive up and down the rows at walmart or target looking for a close place to park.heck i just park at the first spot so what if it's a couple blocks away.
tumbilweed (anonymous) says…
ride your bike & park wherever you want for free & for as long as you want
beawolf (anonymous) says…
There are abundant parking spots on Vermont and New Hampshire but people are too frickin lazy to walk 1 or 2 blocks.I never park on Mass. Remove all parking spots, close Mass from 7th to 10th and make it a "walk only" area.
chocolateplease (anonymous) says…
By having some 15-minute meters, you're reducing parking spots available to what I suspect is the vast majority of people who combine errands downtown. We often decide to have a meal when we're there anyways for some other reason.
Anyways, I thought that the city wanted to encourage people to spend more time downtown.
riverat (Joe Hyde) says…
In some ways it would be interesting to do this "four 15-minute parking meters per block" as an experiment. I'm curious, though, if the merchants who recommended this plan are asking that four such meters be installed on each side of Mass. St. per block (making for an actual total of eight meters per block). Or do they want four meters on one one side of the street per block. Or do they want two meters placed on each side of the street per block (making for a total of four meters)?
And where would they like those special meters to be placed? End of the block at a crossing street intersection? Center of block near the designated pedestrian crosswalk?
And how exactly is the 15-minute limitation to be enforced without either: 1) adding more personnel to the city's meter control staff, or; 2) re-doing the meter staff's existing routes (which reduces enforcement elsewhere) as a means of increasing enforcement at these new, and likely most-frequently-violated, 15-minute meters?
These questions aside, I'm not convinced there's a sizeable enough population of fast action "in-and-out" customers doing business in downtown Lawrence. I think that most people enjoy taking much longer than 15 minutes to shop inside a store, or stroll and window shop along the sidewalks, or dine inside or outside the restaurants while having a sit-down meal. Downtown is the sort of place where you can relax and enjoy, you know?
ToriFreak13 (anonymous) says…
This is hilarious. I truly am surprised at both the people for and those against this. Most of you have not even considered the reality of this petty concern to waste money on. How many out of towners do you see crossing the double yellow line every day to jump into one of the handicap only stalls??? If it is an open spot it will get taken just as quick, without concern of it being a short term meter. Do you think they will be paying attention to it being a 15 minute only meter? Do you plan on making big red signs stating the fact? After they have spent time looking for a spot....finally got one...parked in it. Do you think they are going to get back in their car and move? Most will probably say to themselves...oh I will only be 10 minutes anyway. Of course the city will ok this, and then you will see the meter ladies hovering around these waiting and dishing out a record number of tickets. Dumb idea. Those business owners should worry about the cleanliness of their storefronts and not something so wasteful.
Uhjh (anonymous) says…
These merchants are delusional if they think a fifteen minute stop is some sort of magic bullet to increase their business. Most people don’t drive down Mass hoping for a short impulse buy if they find a parking place. Revenue may suck but it’s the economy stupid.
jafs (anonymous) says…
I don't understand - if you just want to be downtown for a little while, just put a dime in the meter - why is this necessary?
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
Ever try to find a meter space at lunchtime? Good luck. Having some short-term meters will make it possible to dash in and out of a place and open the spot for the next guy who needs to dash in and out of a place. As for marking, a nice green-on-white 9"x12" sign on each short-term meter post, facing toward the parking stall, should be ample warning to a would-be long-term parker that this stall isn't for them. Since most of the meters are two to a post, put two short-term spots together and use one sign for two meters. That will reduce implementation costs. The City could do the same thing with the spot across the street from the LJW subscription office, too. Make sure there's a note about hours of enforcement on the signs so that folks know the spots revert to open access after the meter readers go home.
Uhjh (anonymous) says…
Downtown is saved! Norma Rockwell will no doubt swoop down and paint a picture of a 15 minute meter for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.
Eride (anonymous) says…
Maybe those downtown businesses should first get their employees to stop parking in the prime parking spots downtown. I wouldn't be surprised if at least half of all convienant parking is taken up by employees.
Imagine how much easier it would be to go shop or dine on Mass St if all of the employees parked in the parking garage or long term parking lots...
hawkfan_05 (anonymous) says…
make the entire massachusetts street a 30 min parking zone for $1. tickets for parking longer should be $10. $3 fines do not stop ppl. remove the problem of people parking all day. if you want to park for longer than 30 min walk around the block.
this ciy has failed. parking meters are a joke.
edgeofbaldwin (anonymous) says…
downtown businesses are delusional if they think this is going to HELP business.
hawkfan_05 (anonymous) says…
Eride, I agree. Employee's should park in other lots. Also, though, the city should provide a way for employees to park that is catered to them. The 900 blk parking garage is always full of police cars, animal control cars, city workers, ect. how are the employees supposed to park there when the city takes them all up for overnight parking!!!
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
Ok, lets get these Downtown merchants and do a test. Put a temp "no parking" on 16 meters, four in each block and tell the merchants they can park at any of these meters while running the test Start the merchants out at city hall with a different challenge for each merchant. Have a predetermined goal for each, like pick up a food order, go to the ATM and make a transaction, run to any store to buy any item, pay a bill, everyday things that shoppers might want to accomplish quickly. Have a volenteer at each meter with a 15 min stop watch and as soon as the merchant tester exits his car and taps the meter the time begins with the stop watch. At the end of 15 minutes the test will be graded. Did the merchant complete his/her assignment within the 15 min and make it back to the car and exit the space. If 80 to 100 % complete the test then do the meter change. If 50% or more fail then scrap this idea.
RalphReed (Ralph Reed) says…
Does this mean that next a couple of "smaller" motels will start putting a few 2-hr parking meters in their lots to see if it facilitates "quick business?"
yankeevet (anonymous) says…
Just get rid of the parking meters...................so be it......
boothillbilly (anonymous) says…
What businesses signed on? I want to know who i will not do business with!
ToriFreak13 (anonymous) says…
gccs14r - the handicap parking stalls are painted blue and have reserved signs announcing the fact. People still pull into them and even cross oncoming traffic to pull into them. Your solutions are exactly the reason we don't need them....why waste money maintaining parking spots that fulfill nothing? I am surprised there is not someone complaining as to why the short term shoppers deserve 4 spots, but there are only 2 handicap spots per block. As stated above, if someone is just there for 15 minutes...just put a dime in the machine. I do it all the time when I need to pick something up at kinkos. There is no way I am going to waste time driving circles waiting for a 15 minute stall to open up. This will not solve or improve anything, accept draw more revenue for the city, because you can bet those meter maids will hit those out of towners with a ticket every 15 minutes. Now that will really encourage more out of town customers!!! Wasteful, wasteful, wasteful. Shame on the bank that thinks their ATM is so important to create this wastefullness.
purplesage (anonymous) says…
my sentiments, exactly, yankeevet
Target, WM etc. provide parking without a lousy meter. For a quick stop, having to come up with the change is a pain. For a longer stay, a 15 minute meter would be a fiasco.
jjt (anonymous) says…
If a higher fine was implemented say $20 or more then those who abuse the system will either stop doing so and or the city makes more money. What is the fine now? peanuts.
whats_going_on (anonymous) says…
Yeah, its a little annoying when I have to just run in somewhere to get something and have to walk forever (esp when its really cold), but thats also why I try to AVOID downtown and these "quick" trips when I know it will be packed down there.
gatekeeper (anonymous) says…
hawkfan_05 (anonymous) says…
Eride, I agree. Employee's should park in other lots. Also, though, the city should provide a way for employees to park that is catered to them. The 900 blk parking garage is always full of police cars, animal control cars, city workers, ect. how are the employees supposed to park there when the city takes them all up for overnight parking!!!
/////
The city vehicles take up very little space in the garage. And as you said, it's for overnight parking. that's why they have them park there. And it's central to the businesses on Mass St. No reason why employees shouldn't be parking there.
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
purplesage,
Sure, there's plenty of parking out in BFE. Ever look to see just how far you're walking to get into a big box store, then look to see how far you're walking once you're in the big box store? A store such as Target or Wal-Mart is the size of a downtown city block, just by itself. The parking lot doubles the footprint. Overlay that on downtown and you'll see that you're walking at least as far to do business with a Target or Wal-Mart as you would to do business with an Au Marché, but without benefiting the local economy.
pizzapete (anonymous) says…
15 minute parking for "quick business" like what, using the washroom? Bad idea. I can see driving around, finding a spot then learning you can only be there 15 minutes. What can one do downtown in 15 minutes, oh yea use the restroom and then leave. 15 minutes doesn't even cover the wait at any good restaurant downtown. Bad idea.
MacHeath (anonymous) says…
crap, it takes me 15 minutes to get my pants on.
sense_of_the_common (anonymous) says…
Let's see, 15 minute meter chaos for an average purchase price of a cup of coffee? Wake up kids in city hall! The revenue that you can gain on such silliness is minimal! If you are wanting to make a "quick" purchase it surely won't be anything more than $20. Come to think of it, most of the time even my coffee shop visits take longer than 15 minutes. What were they thinking?
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
It's not about meter revenue, it's about slot churn for quick business. Maybe 15 minutes really isn't long enough (I doubt that), but certainly 20 is plenty. These slots aren't for folks trying to get a meal or sign mortgage papers, they're for the guy trying to get a handful of washers at Ernst, someone running in for a ball of yarn, or otherwise grabbing some item quickly and leaving right away. If all four slots are full, then the would-be shopper is no worse off than he would have been without the short-term slots.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
this will turn out to be a joke, 25cents for 15 minutes only, and then what happens when the four spaces are filled and someone wants the 15 minute spot. then the 'merchants" who are still unidentified will want four more spaces and then four more.
Wilbur has said it before. All parking on Mass Street should be 50cents per half hour, watch the turnover then.
And by the way, as Wilbur sees it with oneeye..can't handicapped people park in any space? Gotta love those quick and easy 15 minute slots. Hope the J/W covers the rules for handicapped parking permits and where they are allowed and not allowed.