The City of Charlottesville finally pulled the plug on these predatory parking meters. They realized the pilot was a disaster because we refused to be ignored. Stay vigilant because we need to make sure they do not try to sneak these machines back into our downtown.
February 15, 2018
Final supporters
The City of Charlottesville has just piloted the implementation of parking meters downtown. It has been a failure, discouraging residents and tourists alike from parking close to the mall and other downtown locations. The meter itself is confusing and often located too far from the spots, thus making it time consuming to park. It's frustrating for those who don't realize they're going to be asked for a license plate number (a violation of privacy, in my opinion) and hard on elderly & disabled & tourists who don't realize they will be asked for a license plate and often have to walk back to their cars to get the license plate #. This can add another 5-10 minutes to what is likely a quick errand. It's too expensive for some residents and tourists who must then drive all around looking for free parking. Ultimately it discourages commerce and creates bad feeling and frustration among those of us who patronize the mall frequently. Plain and simple we do not need them. There are parking garages for those who plan to be at the mall for a long time and can afford the time to get their tickets stamped. Let's band together and let the City know the pilot was a failure.
Updates
December 17, 2017
Five hundred people have now told the City of Charlottesville that this parking meter disaster needs to end. City Hall still thinks they can ignore our frustration but these numbers prove they are wrong.
Reached 500 supporters
December 16, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
December 14, 2017
326 Comments
I see a Dr. downtown and also frequent the stores, and am discouraged from shopping after my appts. due to these meters. If people want a guaranteed spot, there are always plenty of them in the garages, the street parking should remain under a time restriction, but free.
The one and only I tried to use the machine I couldn't make my card work. I knew I'd only be gone for 15 minutes so I left without paying. When I came back my car had been towed it cost me over $100 to get it back. I haven't gone downtown since. Get rid of the meters!
We've heard the numbers proudly announced by the city for revenue collected from parking meters in a single weekend. Now where are the numbers revealing how much revenue downtown businesses took in that same weekend compared to previous weekends?
These meters make it impossible for the people that actually work downtown every single day to find parking close by. As a woman, I work late and night and having to walk a far distance by myself in the dark makes me feel super unsafe giving the recent abduction attemps.
Since I moved here 17 years ago the city has made it hard for working class people to just park their cars. It’s even worse for the service workers who are basically getting an extra tax by these meters. Improve the bus system.
We are putting in several hundred meters next year and this article gives me pause for concern. The business loss sounds depressing. Is this group pursuing a citizens initiative ?
craven harvesting of money - is this what the c'ville budget requires ?
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The City of Charlottesville finally pulled the plug on these predatory parking meters. They realized the pilot was a disaster because we refused to be ignored. Stay vigilant because we need to make sure they do not try to sneak these machines back into our downtown.
February 15, 2018
Final supporters
The City of Charlottesville has just piloted the implementation of parking meters downtown. It has been a failure, discouraging residents and tourists alike from parking close to the mall and other downtown locations. The meter itself is confusing and often located too far from the spots, thus making it time consuming to park. It's frustrating for those who don't realize they're going to be asked for a license plate number (a violation of privacy, in my opinion) and hard on elderly & disabled & tourists who don't realize they will be asked for a license plate and often have to walk back to their cars to get the license plate #. This can add another 5-10 minutes to what is likely a quick errand. It's too expensive for some residents and tourists who must then drive all around looking for free parking. Ultimately it discourages commerce and creates bad feeling and frustration among those of us who patronize the mall frequently. Plain and simple we do not need them. There are parking garages for those who plan to be at the mall for a long time and can afford the time to get their tickets stamped. Let's band together and let the City know the pilot was a failure.
Updates
December 17, 2017
Five hundred people have now told the City of Charlottesville that this parking meter disaster needs to end. City Hall still thinks they can ignore our frustration but these numbers prove they are wrong.
Reached 500 supporters
December 16, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
December 14, 2017
326 Comments
Agreed, the parking meters add to the already discouraging parking situation downtown. Many locals have the choice of shopping at Barracks Road, Stonefield, Fashion Square, and other locations where parking is FREE, or downtown - which do you think they might choose?
I see a Dr. downtown and also frequent the stores, and am discouraged from shopping after my appts. due to these meters. If people want a guaranteed spot, there are always plenty of them in the garages, the street parking should remain under a time restriction, but free.
The one and only I tried to use the machine I couldn't make my card work. I knew I'd only be gone for 15 minutes so I left without paying. When I came back my car had been towed it cost me over $100 to get it back. I haven't gone downtown since. Get rid of the meters!
We've heard the numbers proudly announced by the city for revenue collected from parking meters in a single weekend. Now where are the numbers revealing how much revenue downtown businesses took in that same weekend compared to previous weekends?
These meters make it impossible for the people that actually work downtown every single day to find parking close by. As a woman, I work late and night and having to walk a far distance by myself in the dark makes me feel super unsafe giving the recent abduction attemps.
Since I moved here 17 years ago the city has made it hard for working class people to just park their cars. It’s even worse for the service workers who are basically getting an extra tax by these meters. Improve the bus system.
We are putting in several hundred meters next year and this article gives me pause for concern. The business loss sounds depressing. Is this group pursuing a citizens initiative ?
craven harvesting of money - is this what the c'ville budget requires ?
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Agreed, the parking meters add to the already discouraging parking situation downtown. Many locals have the choice of shopping at Barracks Road, Stonefield, Fashion Square, and other locations where parking is FREE, or downtown - which do you think they might choose?