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Downtown business owner urges uniform parking policy after council approves block-based parking fees
Summary
A downtown restaurant and bar owner urged the city to treat downtown businesses the same after the governing body adopted parking fees that exempt parking on Kansas Avenue but charge side streets; owner said the policy disadvantages non-Avenue businesses.
John Federico, owner of the Celtic Fox in downtown Topeka, urged the governing body during public comment July 15 to reconsider a recently adopted downtown parking-fee structure that exempts Kansas Avenue patrons while charging customers who park on side streets.
Federico said 2024 business data show the Celtic Fox draws similar midday and evening customer volumes and that charging for parking on the 100 block while Kansas Avenue patrons park free creates unequal costs for customers. "How is it fair that our customers either have to park on Kansas Avenue and walk a greater distance to support our establishment during the day? Or worse, pay for parking on the 100 block, which adds 1 to $2 of cost to dine at our establishment versus that of our friends on Kansas Avenue," Federico said.
Federico thanked city staff for meetings but asked council to treat downtown businesses uniformly so that all businesses have the same operating environment. He cited about 30 empty storefronts downtown and said policy unevenness could hamper revitalization.
Councilmembers discussed downtown parking during other agenda items and later suggested staff analyze options such as two-hour limits in surface meters and possibly two hours free in garages to encourage turnover and equitable access. Several councilmembers asked staff to return with cost estimates in the coming weeks.
