Duane Hicks
With town council mulling the feasibility of parking meters for downtown Fort Frances, social media reveals some local residents feel they’re not necessary.
On online poll at fftimes.com found 81 percent of the 452 respondents feel parking meters are not needed while 16 percent say they are.
Three percent were unsure.
Opinions varied on the Times’ Facebook page, but the majority of people who made posts felt meters would hinder—not help—matters.
“I think parking meters will discourage residents and tourists from parking downtown to shop, especially since they can go across to International Falls and park for free or go to Walmart,” said Harold Huntley.
“Since the problem seems to be employees of downtown businesses who monopolize parking places, boycotts of those businesses for a few days will change their habits,” he added.
“There are creative ways of getting the word out.”
Parking meters are not the solution, agreed Travis Wood, adding the Town of Fort Frances needs to start enforcing the two-hour limit by ticketing those who are abusing it.
“I’ve never witnessed a ticket being written or given out for this infraction on Scott Street or in the downtown core,” he noted.
“Parking meters are an expensive, lazy solution that will affect the downtown core in a negative way,” added Wood.
“It will deter tourists who may have otherwise stopped, and it will deter local citizens from bothering to stop downtown and shop local.”
“Let’s come up with even more reasons to deter people from supporting our local downtown businesses,” quipped Jodi Lee Kaemingh.
“No way. I do not support parking meters,” said Mary van der Kroef.
“The two-hour rule that already exists should actually be enforced,” she added.
“Our downtown is way too small for meters,” added van der Kroef.
“It will make it even more less desirable and more difficult for local people.”
“It would be more beneficial to the businesses downtown if the town limited parking to two hours and enforced it,” echoed Chris Brow.
“Putting in parking meters will discourage downtown shopping,” he warned.
“[Parking meters] will discourage many, including me,” said Monica Armour.
“There is an issue at some times during the day but meters will not solve the problem,” she added.
“We don’t need parking meters—we need parking space in general,” said Kari Dawn.
Part of town council’s discussion of parking meters has been prompted by reported issues with employees of downtown businesses parking on the street, taking up spaces that could be used by shoppers.
But not all businesses have an alternative place to park, and have to park on the street.
While there is a two-hour limit in place, some employees have taken to moving their vehicles forward to the next space every two hours to get around the restriction.
Paula Jensen of Shear Serenity noted not all businesses have parking in the back and suggested another centralized parking lot would be preferable to parking meters.
“I try to park at the post office and pay $2 per day when their machine is working, which it isn’t most days,” she posted.
“[But] there is not always something available in that lot, which leaves me to park on the street,” Jensen added.
“I believe another centralized lot would be beneficial—even if just for employees,” she noted.
“I have no problem paying for all-day parking.”
Jensen also said that two-hour parking limit isn’t enough time for anyone getting hair services or other treatments done downtown.
“Meters often offer more time but would deter many people,” she stated.
On the other hand, some of those who posted said parking meters might be a good idea.
Gary Rogozinski said people presently abuse the parking available on Scott Street, adding, “Parking meters will definitely be a step in the right direction.”
“It would totally be worth it if all the snow was kept off the downtown streets and sidewalks, and the sidewalks could be accessed easily from the street,” said Jane Gillon.
“I am tired of climbing snow banks to get to a downtown store,” she noted. “Many seniors don’t go downtown in the winter because of the conditions.
“I would like to see a commitment from the town that the money would be spent on snow removal if meters are installed,” Gillon added.
“I think they should have them [parking meters],” Carolyn Stafford posted.
