Change may be coming to downtown parking.
Change, as in “something new.”
And change, as in “nickles, dimes and quarters.”
Westport’s Downtown 2020 Committee is considering recommending paid parking, the Westport News reports. If so, a variety of town officials would then examine the issue.
Main Street — without traffic, or parking meters.
Revenues would help fund “beautification improvements and maintenance of the core downtown areas,” says Steve Desloge, president of the Downtown Merchants Association.
Charging for parking — either with coins or credit card-reading meters — could be the most controversial downtown issue since the Y announced plans to move.
It would alter longstanding habits of shoppers, store owners and employees. It might change the mix of Main Street stores, and affect the type of people who shop — or even move — here.
There are likely to be passionate opponents (“I’ll never shop downtown again!”) — and equally fervent supporters (“It’s the 21st century; get your head out of the sand!”).
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