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As part of a city-wide, Mayor-back, and City Council-approved plan that went into effect more than a month ago, parking meter rates in San Pedro got a significant hike--in fact, the rates quadrupled, and the applicable time extended into evening hours. This left not only motorists flustered, but merchants as well, who are already facing a decline in revenue thanks to the economy.
Now, City Councilwoman Janice Hahn has responded to the pressure from her merchant constituents, and "has arranged for a 60-day moratorium that will keep the meter hours limited - from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. through most of downtown," reports the Daily Breeze. It is not clear if Hahn intends to pursue a permanent return to those hours.
Other neighborhoods with an up-and-coming nighttime scene have also grumbled about the timing of the meters, and how it makes parking and being free to enjoy a full night's worth of entertainment or dining impossible. Such is the case in the NoHo Arts District, where theatre patrons and performers are flummoxed at how to see or perform in a show when the meters only allow you to pay for one hour at a time. Councilman Tom LaBonge responded by saying while he voted in favor of the increase, he didn't think through the potential consequences. Now Downtown San Pedro is poised to launch their own Arts, Culture and Entertainment District, and "with meter hours stretching until 8 p.m., restaurants, arts and music venues and the historic Warner Grand Theatre face challenges as patrons try to juggle feeding the meters."
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Yikes. Isn't that your job? To "think through the potential consequences"? Nice one LaBonge.
I was on my way today to lunch on Hollywood Blvd, remembered the ridiculous price of parking, and headed over Barham to Burbank instead, where parking is free for as long as I want. Had a great lunch, saved money and a bunch of hassle. FTW!
Maybe I'm missing something.
Okay, the free parking starts at 8:00PM. The meters only go for one hour. Thus, if you arrive at 7:00PM and feed the meter for one hour, you're fine.
Solution: Don't start a show until after 7:00PM. Then your patrons don't have to worry about feeding meters.
Also, maybe the kids are starting the night early, but back when I used to partake of "the nighttime scene," I remember things getting started well after 8:00PM.
It doesn't work that way. Say you're doing a double feature at the theatre, or an early show, or having a public meeting that starts at 6pm. Or a midday matinee on Saturday for a kids film. The new meter rules just don't work, as there are too many ongoing events and situations that are incompatible with them.
San Pedro's business district has been in semi-collapse for almost 40 years now, and the new hours and increased rates are affecting the small business owners, their employees and customers at the absolute wrong time. Until San Pedro gets a decent parking structure, where folks can park all day for a flat fee, the area needs a smarter meter strategy so that the City doesn't completely kill all business in the arrea.
Of course Labonge didn't think through the potential consequences...does he ever?