Downtown Calexico parking meter fees for revitalization?

elchrist

Calexico Downtown Shops Challenge Parking Meters
Source: KYMA

They feel these meters are driving away their business by digging into the wallets of their potential customers. Shop owners are not asking the city to remove the parking meters, but asking for the money generated by them to be spent improving downtown Calexico.

Downtown Calexico shop owners want to change what happens to the money made by these parking meters.

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It makes sense that there should be some kick-back from the downtown parking meters to help in paying for some of the Downtown Calexico restoration/revitalization. Downtown does need quite a bit of work to make it more attractive to shoppers, tourists and the locals.

We need to preserve downtown and make it welcoming to all, especially those of us who live and work here. Something to make us proud.

The Calexico Chamber of Commerce had a meeting yesterday and this issue was to be brought up. Does anyone know what was discussed?

Bloodstar1 · Posted: 15 Sep 2006 10:35 AM Post subject:

From what I understand, there is already a source/s of funds that is earmarked for downtown revitalization. RDA and other block grants the city can apply for should be heavily taken advantage of. The meters and parking tickets have been a long time source of revenue that goes to the City's general fund for traffic related issues. What happens after that, would be a good question. I'm holding my vote until I hear more on this.

elchrist · Posted: 17 Sep 2006 08:44 AM Post subject:

There is some coverage on the issue on IV Press' Sunday paper, where Louis Fuentes is quoted saying that if someone invested in a parking garage the whole dowtown parking situation would be resolved.

“Building up vertically would be a quick solution, and I don’t think it’s been brought up to the city,” Fuentes said.

Anyone agree? I do, since downtown is limited in real estate, unless the city expands further south...

Bloodstar1 · Posted: 19 Sep 2006 12:44 PM Post subject:

Vertical parking sounds like a great idea. Especially if managed by the city as a sourse of revenue. Of course there would have to be security precautions so the cars don't get stolen or broken into. But, it is a good idea. Great out of the box thinking!