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Downtown business owners deliver petition asking Cheyenne council to repeal paid on‑street parking ordinance
Summary
More than 100 downtown business and property owners submitted a petition asking the City Council to repeal a recently passed on‑street paid parking ordinance, arguing it will deter customers and harm small, locally owned businesses. Council members and residents urged more study and incentives for employee parking before implementing paid meters.
More than 100 downtown Cheyenne business and property owners delivered a petition to the City Council on Jan. 13 asking the council to repeal a newly passed paid on‑street parking ordinance, business owners said during a lengthy public comment period.
The petition, read and handed to the clerk by Sam Galiotis, said the ordinances “will create a barrier to attracting downtown visitors, both local visitors and out of towners,” and could cause “unnecessary financial damage” to businesses that have invested in downtown, Galiotis told the council. “We are respectfully submitting a petition, requesting repeal of the recent paid on street parking ordinances passed by the governing body,” he said.
Why it matters: Downtown owners said the ordinance threatens a fragile local economy made of small retail, restaurants and long‑standing businesses that depend on short visits by customers. Several speakers urged a slower, data‑driven approach before charging for curb parking.
Business owners and downtown residents made similar appeals throughout the meeting. Corey, who identified himself as co‑owner of the Downtowner and a full‑time downtown resident, and Brian Grigorchick and others said they did not know why paid parking was needed and asked the council to consider alternatives. “We believe the subject ordinances will create a barrier to attracting downtown visitors,” Galiotis said.
Speakers recommended studies and alternatives before implementing the new rules. Astrid, owner of The Plains Hotel and Hotel Frontier, asked the council to “look at specific studies of pedestrian counts” and which businesses actually benefit or suffer before moving forward. Susan Allen urged incentives for employee parking and suggested marketing to direct people into parking garages rather than relying solely on curb meters.
Longtime downtown property owners described practical barriers they expect customers will face. Steve Bourne and Virginia Dandy Brinkerhoff — who said she has run Just Dandy downtown since 1973 — said older customers and people without smartphones may struggle with app‑based payment systems and could stop coming downtown. “Some of them have a flip phone. Some of them don’t have a phone,” Brinkerhoff said.
Council response and context: Council members acknowledged the concerns and encouraged continued dialogue. Dr. Aldridge reminded listeners about a council outreach coffee on Jan. 18 to continue conversations. Councilman Seagrave and others noted the Downtown Development Authority has drafted goals that emphasize using existing parking resources before adding new supply.
What was not decided: The council did not vote on the petition at the meeting. Instead, multiple council members said they want more data and community input before making additional changes. Several speakers asked for employee parking incentives and safety improvements to the Spiker parking garage; those suggestions were noted by council members but no formal direction or new study was adopted during the Jan. 13 meeting.
Ending: Petitioners left the petition with the clerk and said they are available to work with the council on alternatives. Council members thanked the speakers for their testimony and said the comments would be considered alongside ongoing planning and Downtown Development Authority work.
