Mayor Candidates Skeptical of Major Changes to Downtown Parking Policy

(KNSI) – Neither St. Cloud mayoral candidate seemed receptive to an initiative from downtown businesses calling for free parking throughout the week.

Both were in the studio for a forum on Monday. Jake Anderson pointed out that several surface lots and ramps are free beginning at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with open spots close to the restaurant or retailer you are headed to. He says it is comparable to what you face at a big box store.

“I would also just point out next time you go to Costco, or you go to Walmart, or you go to Sam’s Club, notice where you park, and just notice the distance of how far you’ll walk.”

Conway says the free parking idea would certainly help some businesses along West St. Germain, but it could also hurt restaurants relying on turnover.

“Let’s say you’re the White Horse [Bar and Restaurant], and we do free parking after five, and I’m somebody who comes down, and I park right in front of the White Horse, and I park at 5:05, and I go in to have dinner, and then I walk down to the Paramount to go see a show. My car is going to sit there for four hours.”

Conway believes spots in front of a restaurant should be considered premium parking. He thinks the meters influence people to find a new spot if they are going to be bouncing from business to business over the course of an evening.

Both men agreed that if things change dramatically, a funding component needs to be included to ensure money is available for maintaining and upkeep of parking structures and lots in the heart of the city.

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