It is my feeling that the public parking plan currently being proposed by our City Commissioners has not been nearly well reviewed enough to be ready to be implemented in the near future. The specifics of this plan need to be brought to the attention of all those that it will affect (I believe adversely) most, we residents and employees who drive our ever-growing community’s economy year-round. I live in Saratoga Springs, and I work at an established retail business on Broadway. I also converse with and hear the concerns of fellow residents, downtown employees, local shoppers, and out of town friends and tourists alike. A common theme I hear is one of general uncertainty and of unawareness regarding the planned parking program. While I have seen and read the Saratoga Springs Tourism Parking Plan’s details, maps, rates, revenue forecasts and expenses, it is very apparent to me that most of those that it will affect have not. The Plan states that it is decidedly “Tourist” focused. But is it? Will our local residents and employees not have to pay for parking in the long run? And will it not have a negative impact on our local shops and restaurants if put into place? My opinion withstanding, I have seen very little effort to fully inform our local residents as to how exactly we will be affected. Press and publicity on the “Plan” has been extremely limited, and no great effort on the part of the city has been made to inform (or get feedback from) our year-round residents and workers. No wonder it’s titled the “Tourism” Parking Plan. Sadly, lots of us are feeling very left out of the process and are worried that we will wind up paying in the end.
- John Wilson, Concerned Resident & Downtown Employee
