A map highlighting the free 2-hour “courtesy” parking spaces in downtown Jamestown.
“There were business people involved in the proposal and it was their recommendation. They came [to the council] a couple of weeks ago and said this is what they wanted. Now whether or not every business is in agreement with it, I can’t say.” – Council Woman Marie Carrubba
JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown City Council Monday announced it will act on a resolution during the Dec. 18 voting session to eliminate all 2-hour courtesy (free) parking spaces in the downtown.
According to the map from the city website, that’s over 120 free parking spaces.
City council woman Marie Carrubba said proposal to amend the city code and do away with all downtown courtesy parking is based on a parking study that was presented to the city council last month by Mayor Sam Teresi’s ad hoc Parking Committee. The committee was established in July 2016 to study downtown parking and bring forward recommendations.
“People from that committee had a member who discussed it and said this is really to increase movement in and out and try to allow the central business area to be used for more turnover,” Carrubba said.
Councilman Brent Sheldon asked if downtown businesses supported the change. Carrubba explained that downtown business was represented on the parking committee.
“Actually there were business people involved in the proposal and it was their recommendation. They came [to the council] a couple of weeks ago and said this is what they wanted. Now whether or not every business is in agreement with it, I can’t say,” Carrubba said.
The committee that made the recommendations had a total of 16 members, with three of them coming from the dozens of businesses situated in the downtown. It was also comprised of eight members of the city staff and administration, as well as representatives from Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, All Pro Parking (which manages two downtown parking ramps), a downtown property owner, and two staff members from the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.
The free parking is located along Third Street between Washington and Spring Streets, as well as along Pine Street, Main Street, and Cherry Streets – between second and fourth Streets.
The council will vote on removing the free parking spaces during its voting session on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
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