Parking Meter
Digital News Report- The Santa Cruz City Council unanimously approved the installation of parking meters along parts of Ocean Street, Water Street, Soquel Avenue and several nearby residential streets. The hourly rate in the beach area has also been raised to $1.50. The decision came in response to Santa Cruz’s $180 million budget and a lack of places to turn for new revenue.
“We need to put together a package that leads to $7 million,” said Councilwoman Lynn Robinson. “There’s no one piece to take it from. This will make a difference.” The meters will cost $215,000 to install and are expected to bring in an extra $235,000 a year in revenue The higher parking fees in the beach area could bring in $115,000 a year. The funds will mostly pay for police, fire and parks and recreation.
However, some local businesses are worried. Gary Bascou, the owner of the natural food store Staff of Life at Water Street and Morrissey called the move “callous” towards small business.
He says many of his customers park along the curb in front to quickly pop inside for groceries, but a Whole Foods with a large, free parking lot will be opening up nearby soon. “I don’t want to penalize my shoppers,” Bascou said. “This could be another thorn in their side” and that putting meters near his store, “would defer customers from coming here.”
|
