City modifies Smart Park
Eight months after launching a new systematic parking district for downtown, the city of Riverside is again refining its Smart Park program.
The program began in September 2006 establishing uniform parking zones across much of downtown (the only exception being the area around the county courthouse, which had a similar system already in place). Smart Park’s primary purpose is to free up spaces used by downtown employees — thereby increasing overall availability for visitors — as well as encourage garage parking. As such, the program is only in effect during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Besides the usual complaints over having to pay, much of the initial flak came from the time limits in and around the Mission Inn and adjacent downtown library. The city quickly addressed these concerns by adding free spaces to the library as well as increasing time limits from two to four hours in areas near the Mission Inn. It also added 50 short-term, “convenience” spots (less than 30 minutes) at various locations such as the post office.
The latest revisions include:
- Increased free-parking in the four municipal garages from 90 minutes to two hours with validation
- Increased the number of four-hour spots in the areas surrounding the Mission Inn
- Spaces can remain occupied more than four hours with continued payment
We’re glad to see the increase of free-parking with validation for up to two hours in the city garages. Likewise, we’re happy that both the uniform costs ($1 per hour) and times (M – F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) have not changed.
Most of the recent changes came at the request of local merchants, some of whom do not see the need for the large-scale parking system:
Downtowne Bookstore co-owner Nadia Lee said the city launched SmartPark prematurely — before a critical mass of new businesses was in place to draw significant numbers of visitors. The program has driven customers away and the proposed improvements won’t bring them back, she said.
“It still feels like a gaping wound,” said Lee, who has organized opposition to SmartPark. “They’re putting little bandages around the edges.”
Riverside Press-Enterprise – May 11, 2007
And though we agree downtown has yet to reach critical mass necessary for a 24/7 parking system, there’s no doubt activity has increased significantly over the past five-plus years. However, with various commercial and residential projects planned, the Fox Theater renovation set to begin and both UCR and RCC performing arts schools in the planning stages, such activity is likely to keep increasing. Thus, we appreciate the program’s notion of encouraging the use of the four municipal parking garages particularly as downtown increases in popularity.
Along with the changes are plans to renovate two of the city-owned garages, including seismic upgrades, new lighting, new elevators and even revamped facades. Our only fear is that any major renovation will likely see their classic, mid-century facades disappear. Thus, we’d encourage the city to keep the current facades intact as much as possible, or at the very least, ensure any new designs for them pay homage to their current mid-century, modern style.
Related
- Riverside Press-Enterprise – Complaints prompt Riverside to modify downtown parking rules (May 11, 2005)
Previous
- RaincrossSquare.com – Smart Park revised (Sept. 14, 2006)
- RaincrossSquare.com – Smart Park (Sept. 4, 2006)
Sources: Riverside Press-Enterprise (PE-20050511)
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