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Council backs off Franklin Mall paid‑parking study after strong resident opposition
Summary
After extensive public comment and council debate, members voted against funding the proposed $180,000 downtown/Franklin Mall paid‑parking study and directed staff to prioritize other approaches and community priorities.
Council debated a proposed $180,000 budget amendment to fund a consultant study about paid parking for downtown and Franklin Mall. The study would have assessed options, rates and neighborhood impacts and would have informed whether paid parking should be implemented and how revenue might be used for capital repairs (fountains, restrooms) or maintenance. Residents and local business owners turned out in force to oppose paid parking at Franklin Mall, warning of lost customers and spilled parking into nearby neighborhoods; speakers urged the city instead to invest in fountain repairs and other improvements.
City staff explained that the convention center parking and downtown paid parking workstreams are proceeding separately and that convention center parking (a city‑owned, enterprise asset) could be implemented without an additional consultant study; staff framed the Franklin Mall study as a response to community concerns about spillover and rate setting. Several council members said they would rather see limited funds used to improve the Franklin Mall public space (restrooms, fountain repairs) and noted that property owners currently contribute a small share to the maintenance district.
Council Member Chahal made a motion (seconded) to not approve the $180,000 study and instead prioritize maintenance and other improvements; the motion carried unanimously with the mayor recused on the item (6–0).
