Brown wrong on paid parking issue
The never- ending changes to parking feesin downtown Sarasota and St. Armands have been lessons in futility.
They have shown a lack of leadership from the Sarasota City Commission – and the lack of a strategic parking plan from the city manager's office.
Maybe Herald-Tribune Opinion Editor Roger Brown doesn't mind paying "a few more bucks" for parking downtown, but most of us are not happy with the recent extension of paid parking hours ("Sarasota politicians going soft on paid parking. That's lame," July 27).
It is disgusting to think of all the money Sarasota has spent over the years on parking – erecting meters, taking them out, painting new parking spaces, changing and painting them again, buying new vehicles and carts for parking enforcement
personnel, etc. – when it could have simply had people walking around town showing visitors how to operate the hard-to-use meters.
While Brown tells us not to complain, I would suggest an alternative.
As soon as possible, the city manager should meet with the downtown Sarasota merchants, restaurants and residents – and also with the St. Armands Circle Association merchants and restaurants.
She should ask all of them for their input on what plan they would like in their areas.
It should be a plan focused on making sure visitors enjoy visiting those areas – and making sure they will return.
It should be a plan that is agreeable to all, even if it means free parking.
Public parking can help to create a welcoming atmosphere, and expanding paid parking hours is not the answer.
Sarasota needs to find the sweet spot if we want to remain a successful destination.
Carole Nikla, Sarasota
Brown misses mark on paid parking
I could not disagree more with Opinion Editor Roger Brown's column on paid parking in Sarasota.
He's glad there will less traffic going downtown now.
Yes, there will be – because people are boycotting restaurants and businesses because of paid parking.
Maybe people will be complaining about parking at Lakewood Ranch and the University Town Center in the future.
But they're not complaining now, and that's where they're going.
I'm surprised that Brown doesn't truly comprehend the hit that the downtown restaurants are taking – and will continue to take.
In addition, my wife and I and many other Sarasotans volunteer at Sarasota Opera and Florida Studio Theatre.
Of course, we don't get paid for our service. But we shouldn't have to pay to volunteer. either.
It used to be possible to park for free in the Selby Library parking lot after the library is closed, but now parking there can be ticketed, too.
I understand that the lot is designated for "Library Business Only."
But when the library is closed there is no library business.
Stepen Dickman, Venice
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Readers criticize Roger Brown's Sarasota parking column | Letters
