FAYETTEVILLE — Amid impassioned pleas by Dickson Street merchants about depressed business activity, the City Council rolled back the start time for parking rates in its entertainment district to midafternoon.
The move was seen as an emergency adjustment to a paid parking program not quite six weeks old. Merchants claim the program has decimated their business, prompting the city to shorten the time it charges for parking. Payment will not be expected until 2 p.m. daily, four hours later than the 10 a.m. start-time currently in place.
The change takes effect Oct. 1, and runs until the first council meeting in December, giving the city’s parking staff ample time to study sales tax trends for the area, and possibly make other changes to the program.
AT A GLANCE
New Dickson Street Paid Parking Hours
Takes Effect Oct. 1
2 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Free
2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday: 50 cents per hour
5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday: $1 per hour
2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 50 cents per hour
6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday: $1 per hour
Source: Staff Report
The message Tuesday night by restaurateurs was one of near desperation.
“This could bury a 30-year-old restaurant that has been a landmark of Fayetteville,” said Neal Crawford, owner of Jose’s Restaurant. He recounted stories of restaurant owners trying to borrow money just to cover payroll because he and others claimed the paid parking plan has discouraged business not only because of the fees — most actually said the nominal fees are not the real culprit — but the hassle of having to pay anything is more than many patrons want to contend with.
Julie Sill, owner of Common Grounds and Hog Haus Brewing Co., recalled several situations where the new pay stations failed to operate properly. They’re also not equipped to offer change, further causing irritation, she said.
“Yeah, mistakes were made,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan after the two hours of discussion. “We made mistakes. But we’re plowing new ground, folks.”
Rolling back the daily start-time on paid parking will translate to a 10 percent reduction in revenue, say city officials, based on the first six weeks of revenue data. If the parking program were to remain free all day and begin charging at 5 p.m. daily, revenue would drop nearly 21 percent, according to the same study. Merchants want the city to charge for parking only Thursday Friday and Saturday evenings after 5 p.m. The spaces would be free all day the rest of the days of the week. That plan, said Don Marr, Fayetteville chief of staff, would result in a loss of $13,000 a year, once salaries and other costs are considered. That’s not likely to happen.
“I’m certainly not ready to go to what they are asking for,” said Brenda Thiel, a council member. “I think it’s way too soon to do that.”
The compromise offered Tuesday night is a start, said Sill.
“I appreciate the mayor taking this action,” Sill said after the meeting. “Is this perfect for everyone? No. But at least we see they’re willing to compromise.”