At some point in Durango’s future, let’s say the end of 2049, the downtown’s several blocks will be vehicle-free, negotiated solely by foot, on bicycle and an electric-powered trolley. Even electric-powered cars and those still powered by fossil fuels will be in outlying parking lots. In the meantime, the need for downtown vehicle parking will continue to exist.
With parking comes meters, and the need to feed them with cards and quarters. That there are meters at all is because without them, retail and professional office employees would prevent their use by shoppers, restaurant-goers and tourists; that’s human nature. It’s also a source of income for the city’s transit fund, almost $1.1 million in 2023.
Durango has a vibrant small business, office and government located downtown, which is wonderful, both staffed and enjoyed by many.
We don’t want this to change.
The city’s transit fund is under water and additional supporting revenue is needed. That’s not surprising, as for a city of this size, operating the transit center, circulating trolleys and neighborhood on-call transit for seniors and people with disabilities is a lot. Likely stretching transit to its edges.
Council is currently considering the possibility of adding what are now two park-for-free days, Saturday and Sunday, to the five that now require meter payment.
Let’s look elsewhere, we say.
To have two days without having to reach into our pocket and purse just feels good, as in the West we live in. Wide open spaces, a place to explore and to get lost, all under blue skies. That may be a bit of exaggeration, but spare us the need – even briefly – to constantly fund a social enterprise.
Two out of seven days should remain no-charge. As should the hours fees are assessed, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., remain unchanged.
As to the needed revenue, let’s look to increasing the rates a bit. And perhaps increasing the summer season rates a lot. Tourists coming from the big cities are used to paying for their parking. And, relying on data and new technology, perhaps there is a way to create service efficiencies and reduce costs?
Philanthropy can – and is – playing a small role. An anonymous donor, who is a veteran, is funding transit rides for veterans for several months into 2025. We don’t pretend that local giving can do much for the transit budget, but other supporters may want to aid some groups.
We look forward to what the city’s leadership decides about how to reduce the transit fund’s red ink, but let’s not make the meters operational on Saturday and Sunday.
*************
Two hundred sixty-six city employees and councilors whose vehicles have a sticker allowing no-need-to-feed-the-meter (Herald, Dec. 15); that number should be reduced to zero. There’s revenue in those parkers. In place of stickers, when on city business that requires a vehicle, the city could make hang tags available for parking at the transit center, meters off Main Avenue and/or city parking lots. Better yet, give them a helmet and e-bike for day use.
An answer to the possibility of a reduced benefit, as for everyone, there’s the transit center’s $5 per day rate.
The revenue from city employees’ parking is important, as is that they may experience what everyone else does. The occasional $25 ticket – the city does a thorough job of meter monitoring – and the risk, however slight, of being one of those who are booted. Boots can come with the third unpaid ticket, and has a hefty charge.
Rule makers make better decisions when they’re experiencing what their subjects are.
Twenty-five years from now all this could be moot.
