Richard Hyatt: Parking is a perennial problem in downtown Columbus

Parking is a perennial problem

Property taxes on homes in Muscogee County are frozen, but not the fines we pay for overtime parking on downtown streets.

Fifteen years ago, the fine was $7. Starting Feb. 25, fines increase from $20 to $30. Worse than that, if a violator doesn't pay in 10 days, the fee is doubled.

Things have changed downtown. Coffee shops replaced wig shops. College students walk the sidewalks instead of panhandlers. People live downtown instead of rushing home by dark. People walk across a pedestrian bridge or zip over the river to get to Phenix City.

But parking remains a sore spot. We've gone from having police officers watching for expired parking meters to having transit workers patrol our streets. The city operates three parking garages but we don't use them.

Deputy City Manager Lisa Goodwin says the hefty increase stems from a 2013 survey that recommended lower fees in the garages and higher fines for people that park on the streets.

"It's steep," Goodwin said. "But it's only steep for those who break the law."

I understand that too well. If you put every parking ticket I have received downtown end to end, they would reach the outskirts of Birmingham. I was notorious. So much so that a friend gave me a parking meter as a wedding gift.

Out of town, I used garages, though I avoided them after dark. Here at home, I took my chances on the street, a concept others apparently follow.

My habits were foolish and costly. But I also think that 2013 survey is premature.

Since that research was done, the number of Columbus State University students living downtown has increased and so have the private residents at Eagle & Phenix. Many city workers have been relocated to Macon Road. Many new businesses have opened.

What a nice way to welcome folks to town. Parking is already a problem. Now people could end up paying $60 for forgetting to move their car.

Will fines encourage folks to park in the garages? Probably not. Particularly at night. Meters are yesterday's solution, though I could sell them one real cheap.

The answer is drastic: Eliminate parking on Broadway and surrounding streets. Tow away the lawbreakers. Force us into the garages and make us safe and secure by policing them properly.

And until a better solution is reached, freeze the fines.

-- Richard Hyatt is an independent correspondent. Reach him at hyatt31906@knology.net.

This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 11:18 PM with the headline "Richard Hyatt: Parking is a perennial problem in downtown Columbus."