We received the following email from Ivor Davis. We had the city respond. Being from England we were concerned that he may have been parking on the wrong side of the street going in the wrong direction.
Invasion of the parking meters:
One day, not long ago, I woke, strolled downtown and much to my horror noticed that parts of Main Street have suddenly been infested with those deadly parking meters. (curbs freshly painted with numbers etc.) Sprouting east on Main Street just past the Rosie Lee British fine food emporium. Sure, I reasoned, I was probably sleeping when the powers that be warned us that the meters may continue to march east (or is it west) to compensate for all that lost Main Street revenue.
But then I woke sweating a few days later: Will I one day have to pay for parking outside my own home? So in desperation, I am writing to the Hon.Sheldon Brown to see if he (who knows and understands everything) can explain this predicament and whether I will have to fear (like Ukraine) that the relentless parking meter march will continue!
Thank you.
Ivor Davis, very, very long time Ventura resident.
City response:
A recent parking study showed that a paid parking model on the 700 block of Main St, would help manage our parking system. Parking meters or “pay stations” where installed a couple weeks back, along with signs, pavement marking and parking stall numbers.
As of this week, the pay stations are fully operational, and visitors may begin to utilize them!
Our Parking Enforcement team will begin enforcing June 1st, only issuing “warnings” until then.
Additionally, we are actively working on a Parking Action Plan, which was recently presented to City Council. The plan includes new parking technologies, additional paid parking areas downtown and other parts of the city, and work towards a new parking structure!
Downtown residents may be eligible to receive a parking permit through the City’s Downtown Parking Permit Program. The permit, which is offered in our downtown, medical, and school areas, provides all day parking for residents who live near paid parking areas. By displaying a valid parking permit on your car, you can park all day without the worry of getting a parking ticket or moving your car from space to space on your block near their home.
Related to the recent change in the mentioned area, our Parking and Mobility Program Analyst, Sergio Albarran, shared that a recent parking study showed that a paid parking model on the 700 block of Main St, would help manage our parking system. This topic was addressed by the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC) and with Downtown Ventura Partners before the installation of the meters.
The parking meters or “pay stations” were installed a couple weeks back, along with signs, postcard notices to the 700 block, pavement markings, and parking stall numbers.
City staff was able to add an additional eight parking spaces in the area as well. As of this week, the pay stations are fully operational, and visitors may begin to utilize them.
Additionally, City staff is actively working on a Parking Action Plan, which was recently presented to City Council in three separate workshops culminating in a final presentation on Monday, May 8, 2023.
The Plan seeks to identify parking solutions using new parking technologies, additional paid parking areas Downtown and other parts of the City, and a potential new parking structure to better accommodate parking demand.
Additional information can be found at the City’s website at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Parking. We hope this information is helpful and please let us know if you have any additional questions.
Jennifer Buckley
Senior Community Outreach Specialist
