Downtown Parking Fee Hike Advances

The proposed parking omnibus ordinance that would increase downtown parking meter rates from $1 to $1.50 per hour was advanced by the City Council to a third and final reading.

By a vote of 6-3, councilors forwarded the three-part parking ordinance for potential final approval on Aug. 20. If approved, the on-street parking meter rates would increase from $1 to $1.50 per hour. Parking meter time would be extended from two- to three hours and the High/Hanover Parking Garage rate would remain the same at 75 cents per hour with the first hour free.

The council advanced the proposed parking omnibus ordinance changes despite strong objections about the proposed on street meter increase from several downtown business owners.

Doug Bates, president of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, said the residents might enjoy the first hour free, but when it comes to visitors “the jury might still be out.”

Bates said the key to maintain the right balance so all of the parking options are utilized.

Bob Hassold, co-owner of Tugboat Alley on Bow Street, said a two-hour limit on the meters makes it very difficult for people to have lunch. Oftentimes, he said people have to waste an hour before they get served in a restaurant.

“This doesn’t allow for time to browse the shops before or after having lunch.” He said nothing ruins someone’s experience in Portsmouth more than finding a parking ticket on their windshield.

Natalie Hassold, co-owner of Tugboat Alley, said he worst thing that can happen when people leave their store is if “they have a horrendous parking experience.”

She also said not everybody uses credit cards to pay for parking and many of her customers prefer to use quarters. She said it will take 18 quarters to pay for three hours of parking if the fee increase is approved. Hassold also said the council should consider offering free parking on Sunday again.

“Taking away Sunday, the vibe is bad,” Hassold said.

Ron Zolla said raising the on street increase to $1.50 will deter a lot of local people from coming downtown. He also disagreed with the parking consultant’s report that a three-hour limit will decrease parking tickets from 4,000 per year to 1,000.

Some councilors also expressed reservations about the proposed parking fee increase.

“I see this as a tax increase and doing so in this economy is wrong,” said City Councilor Ken Smith.

He also agreed with City Councilor Esther Kennedy that the parking meters should accept dollar bills as well as quarters and credit cards. “I hand out literally rolls of quarters a day,” said Smith at his store Maine-ly New Hampshire on Deer Street.

City Councilor Chris Dwyer said “this is really about stopping the congestion” and to get people to use the parking garage more.

City Councilor Brad Lown said the omnibus is not perfect, but it is a good start. “This is not designed to be a revenue raiser.”

Assistant Mayor Robert Lister said he is not in favor of raising the rates, but likes the idea of raising the on street time to three hours and getting people to use the parking gaage. He also said he does not favor Sunday parking.

“I would rather see us raise the parking tickets,” Lister said, if the issue is about raising additional revenue.

City Councilor Nancy Novelline Clayburgh said she would support it. “They can be changed afterward if the council decides to do that.”

“It’s time for us to act,” she said. “We have studied this for four years.”

She said she believes going from two hours to three hours is good and $1.50 is not unreasonable.

“We need to fill the garage, that’s our goal.” The parking study showed it was only full 14 times last summer.