Newshound, January 1, 2007

ISSUE:

Ruth, the assistant manager at First Cash Pawn on Adams Street, has been working downtown for several years and has found parking to be a problem.

“Now that I work at a store that has its own parking lot it’s not such a big deal,” she said. “But parking when you’re working at a small store is definitely a problem.”

Maria Hernandez of Zorba Inc. says the parking issue is not only a problem for her, but also for her clients.

“We’ll have clients walk in and say they’re in a hurry because someone is driving around waiting for them to come outside,” she said. “We also have clients who irresponsibly park in the HEB parking lot, which is private.”

Hernandez parks in front of the store and said she pays $40 a month for the space.

“Even then it’s difficult because I get all kinds of parking tickets.”

WHO TO CALL:

Historic Downtown District: 548-6176

WHAT THEY SAID:

Peter Goodman, the historic downtown district director, said that the city has added 300 parking spaces this year in a lot on Saint Charles Street.

“I wish there was no parking problem, but it’s an issue every town has that’s our age,” he said. “We’re not going to tear down historic buildings for parking.”

Multi-level parking would alleviate the problem, but not in a small city.

“They (multi-level parking buildings) require a lot of lots that we just don’t have,” he said. “They’re very expensive and we’d get no payback.”

Buying spaces in front of stores is something the city doesn’t offer.

“Those spaces are worth over $200 in retail sales per day, so we’re not going to sell them for $40 a month,” he said. “I’m interested to know who they’re paying the $40 to.”

Goodman said the city has very few options when it comes to making new parking spaces, but they’re doing everything they can to make parking a bit easier.