Pay to Play in Lake Worth?

Comment Up

This is not what you think--this is about paying for parking in Lake Worth's downtown.

The newly proposed city budget calls for parking stations in our five downtown parking lots with an estimated revenue of approximately $250,000. This was based on one parking count taken during the Season. More than likely, someone counted up the number of spaces at all 5 lots and made a projection. The Financial Advisory Board left the possibility of charging people to come to our downtown on the table and the proposal by the City will come back to them at the next meeting.

When times are tough, cities look to any source that crosses their laps in order to raise revenue. Cutting waste is not even on the agenda. Why not? Why doesn’t the City end, right now, all membership fees, all travel, all superfluous spending, the free lunch, collect the nearly $9 million owed to us for unpaid utility bills last year, and the list goes on. We are owed multi-millions, folks. If we could collect everything owed to us even by neighboring cities, we would be well-off. But, no, the city would much rather install parking pay stations in our downtown or put up red-light cameras with red-light proceeds going to the PBSO to help with the astronomical cost of the Sheriff contract or charge more for someone to swim in our pool. Absurd. Let’s just make it harder on the residents and make it more difficult for the stores as they continue with the waste.

While our downtown is still struggling in this down economy and businesses are hurting, we don’t need to put any more pressure on them. Commercial establishments pay the highest utility rates in the State of Florida through Lake Worth Utilities and now the City of Lake Worth wants to charge for parking. We should, instead, do everything we can to help our downtown.

Our City attracts those who come here for special events, Evening on the Avenues, and to dine at our local restaurants. They like to stroll the Avenue, window shop, look at the art and antiques and spend their money here. To have that "privilege" of spending their money, they will now have to pay to do so. We don’t want any more businesses moving out. We don’t want our residents to feel that they should now drive to an establishment where parking is free or to their local Mall. We want to keep business right here in downtown Lake Worth and bring in more of it that will cater to all of our shopping needs.

Parking on Lake and Lucerne is for 4 hours now and the FAB has suggested that it be reduced to 2 hour parking. I'm not sure why this is even part of the Board's discussion as its only focus is on the Budget and what will affect the millage. However, as it was brought up, I think 2 hour parking during the day might work but incorporating that at night would not. It also would not work for matinees at the Lake Worth Playhouse as many people dine in our downtown, attend the play, arriving at the theater around 1:30pm for a play that usually is from 2pm to 4:30 pm on average.

Andy Amoroso, CRA member as well as a leader of the Downtown Cultural Alliance, says that the downtown needs to be kept "economical." Parking stations could hurt business and therefore he is against them. He would like to see 2 hour parking from 9am until 6pm, waive impact fees for new businesses over the next 2 years and amortize their large utility deposit over 6 months in order to make it easier for stores/businesses to want to locate to Lake Worth. Andy also mentioned, at last count, there were 19 empty stores and that someone was moving into the vacant Ouzu Blue space.

Wes Blackman says, “Our downtown is at such a fragile state economically now, that the imposition of parking meters is too risky for the amount of "reward" the city would get in additional revenue. I have an issue with red light cameras related to Big Brother, period. I have also heard that rear end collisions are higher at intersections since people now take the yellow light more seriously and slam on the brakes to avoid going through a red light. Both represent little gain, for probable negative results. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.”

Michele Bell, 531 East, Inc.
Michelle Bell, owner of 531 East, Inc. stated that she hated parking meters when she had her store in Delray. “Granted, it is money for the City but the downtown in Lake Worth is not ready yet…park for free…let’s build, not tax—get some business.”

Save Our Neighborhood President, Katie McGiveron says, “I won't be going down town to shop if I have to pay to park. Period. My family and I are trying to save every dollar possible. I won't be eating at restaurants down town when I do eat out. I will be buying Naughty's dog food at a place where I don't have to pay to park, etc. As for red light cameras- just wait until the lawsuits start filling up city hall.”

John Rinaldi, owner of Sabal Palm B&B, has a different view when he says, “I really think that metered parking is so common in most towns that it won't hurt business downtown. It might help as so many spots are taken by employees who park all day. Given the financial mess we are in, we need every dollar we can find.”

We had parking meters back in the 70's. They didn't work then. The merchants complained it was hurting business. They continuously broke down. The City pulled them out and sent them to the dump...money still in the heads. Although they are suggesting parking stations similar to what we have at the beach, we all know the constant maintenance problems with them. Installed not too long ago, the City now says that they have to be replaced.