I am extremely displeased with Nelson city council’s decision to raise the cost of using the parking meters.
The number one reason people cite for not shopping downtown is the parking (or lack thereof). Usually it is that they cannot find a parking place — now it will be lack of available spaces and the meters are too expensive. There needs to be a plan to increase the available parking in the downtown area — not discourage even more people from going downtown. I am concerned that this will negatively impact many businesses.
I hope that city council will reconsider this decision and look at alternatives that will help them earn the revenue they need while helping the community.
One option would be to make Baker Street one way from the four-way stop up through to the other end of the street (the last block of Baker Street is already one way) and change from parallel to angle parking. This would greatly increase the number of available parking spots as well as increasing the number of meters — and more meters means more revenue. I can almost guarantee these spaces will be full. This will help both the businesses and the city.
Anne Cavicchi
Nelson