Parking Ordinance Story

The following is a story I wrote for my Journalism: Intro to Reporting Class in the Fall of 2010.

Fans of shopping in downtown Lexington can look forward to a more efficient parking system, thanks to a new ordinance planned to take effect on Jan. 1.

Lexington, like a lot of small cities, depends on its downtown business district to be financially stable. Prompted by the residents in the community, a study group formed and gave the Police Department recommendations on how to better utilize downtown if they fixed their parking, according to Police Capt. A. M. “Bucky” Miller.

“The whole purpose of what we’ve done is to help the downtown stay vibrant,” Miller said. “If parking isn’t available, people will just go to Wal-Mart.”

The parking lots in downtown Lexington will have spots that are three-hour, 12-hour, and those that have reserved long-term parking. The parking garage, owned by the city for the use of the citizens, will remain free within a five-day limit.

The former “hunter permits” will be changed to “long-term parking” in order to clarify their purpose. Residents in Lexington will be able to get one of these permits for about $100 a year if they either live or work downtown. Lee Avenue, Jefferson Street from Washington to Henry, and then Henry Street will all have these reserved spots.

“This will help people that work downtown,” Miller said. “Now they won’t have to park in a two-hour spot and have to move their car during their work day.”

It will also open up more two-hour spots for those interested in grabbing a bite to eat or shopping around downtown Lexington. The reserved spots also work in a way that if no one’s using them, a regular car can park there for two hours.

“We don’t sell the spots to where the lot is full,” Miller said. “We only sell about 60 percent. So there are always some open to two hour parking.”

Also part of the new ordinance will be an enhanced fine system on the time limit for downtown spots. The entire system will be automated as to increase efficiency for police officers. A first offender will receive a $15 fine. The next offense will be $30. The third offense will be $60. And the fourth offense, and every offense after, will be $120 and a towed vehicle.

“Hopefully, I’ll never see that happen,” Miller said.

The current system is $15 for every ticket, regardless of the number, and no towing. Right now, it’s common for people to have seven or eight tickets.

“A lot of people feel it’s cheaper to get a ticket a day rather than move their car,” Miller said. “Hopefully, the new system will make people take parking violations more seriously.”

Still, some shop owners downtown have their doubts on the necessity of the new ordinance. Shane Gonsalves, owner of Sweet Treats on Washington Street, doesn’t think there’s an issue with the current parking system.

“I think people want to have the convenience on walking up to a store without having to do anything else,” he said. “A lot of people move to a city, but then want to change it to suit themselves.”

Gonsalves, originally from Guyana, has been working in Lexington for six years. He himself doesn’t have a problem with parking since the free parking garage is a block and a half away from his store. He believes the city is just creating problems to latch onto.

“I think it’s a lot of hogwash,” Gonsalves said.

Siobhan Lomax, founder of Pumpkinseeds on Main Street, agrees.

“I’m originally from Washington, DC, so coming from a city, I feel like walking two blocks isn’t a big deal,” she said. “People get lazy and want a parking spot right in front. But they would never think twice about walking the same distance at a shopping mall.”

Miller, however, stands by the ordinance. He believes that once people understand the ordinance and its intended efficiency, the community will embrace it.

“Different people have different ideas on why we’re doing this, and they’re wrong” he said. “More than anything it’s just going to take everyone working together.”