I am a somewhat recent arrival to Fargo, having previously lived in a few different cities outside of the Midwest, and would like to comment on the Fargo Parking Commission's initiative to meter downtown parking.
There are several reasons I oppose metering. First, all of the other cities I've lived in have had metered parking, and I can tell you, Fargo's free parking is an enormous stress reliever. I don't have to worry about whether I have enough nickels, dimes and quarters, and I don't have to worry about running out of the store I'm shopping in to feed the meter. That's really important to me as a downtown shopper. Besides which, we're already getting nickeled and dimed in life right now enough.
Second, businesses will suffer with metered parking. Not only will people leave stores to fill their meter, they very likely will just get in the car and go home. Either case suggests the potential for a lot of lost sales to downtown stores.
Third, Fargo is trying to build up its downtown and attract people outside of the north Fargo area, including non-Fargo residents. What better way to stymie downtown growth than to impose metered parking?
People already aren't going there; charging them when they do come is counterproductive. Besides, does the City Commission think West Acres is going to meter its parking lot? Of course not - that would be foolish of them.
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Fourth, the library and civic center, as well as various state and federal buildings, are downtown with limited non-street parking. Do we want to discourage anyone from going to these institutions?
Can you imagine some poor mother running back to her car from the library with four little kids in tow to fill the meter? Neither can I.
It may sound like a good idea, but think twice. And if you are really concerned about a parking crunch, perhaps a better plan is to require employees of businesses to park elsewhere. You can ask employees of West Acres stores if you need ideas.
Robert Hutchings
Fargo
