Modernizing downtown Charleston's metered parking, changing the hourly rate structure and making parking available on both sides of Capitol Street were some of the top suggestions made by the public at the City of Charleston's parking meeting Thursday evening.
The meeting was a part of the City of Charleston's efforts to review and address the most pressing needs regarding parking in downtown. The city currently is in the process of creating a comprehensive parking report, which is set to release in November. The report will include a parking inventory count, land use analysis, the best practices going forward and what methods comparative cities are using.
"We have all of our data together, and now we're entering the phase of this month-long activity of public input and involvement in the process," said Sherry Risk, executive projects manager with the city manager's office.
Although Risk said Charleston has approximately 27,700 total parking spaces available, common complaints such as a lack of knowledge about free parking on the weekends, downtown employees taking spaces for the entire day and quarters-only metered parking reduces accessibility.
Johanna Miesner, a marketing coordinator for the state of West Virginia, said the quarters-only metered parking is a major deterrent for potential consumers.
"I can't tell you how much it drives me bonkers when I pull up to a spot, and I've got all these nickels, but it's quarters only," she said. "In every part of Charleston I've gotten tickets. But I say, 'I don't even have a quarter, so I'm going to pay a $25 ticket to park here.'"
Smart Parking Meters, which can connect to and get payments from smartphones, are a common suggestion, but city manager David Molgaard said he is concerned that the technology could make it easier for people to stay in spaces for extended periods of time.
"What do you do about the employees that just camp out there?" he asked. "You'd be surprised how many people wait until they get a thick stack of tickets before they get a letter from the city, and we boot them out."
Tony Paranzino, who owns Tony the Tailor on Virginia Street East, said there has to be an incentive for a person to park in a new spot. He added that the problem has always been an issue in downtown and that the rate needs to climb each hour.
Paranzino also said metered parking spaces should have different rates depending on their location. He said parking on Virginia Street should be $3 to $4 an hour, while less frequented areas such as Smith Street should have lower rates.
Other suggestions by the public included reducing the number of bagged meters, free parking in major lots after 5 p.m. and making loading zones available for public parking on the weekends.
Reach Max Garland at max.garland@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4886 or follow @MaxGarlandTypes on Twitter.