HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-236 Public Comment - N. Wickes - Public comment on _Bozeman Paid Parking Work Session Final Report to the City Commission_From:Nicholas Wickes
To:Agenda
Subject:Public comment on "Bozeman Paid Parking Work Session Final Report to the City Commission"
Date:Monday, January 23, 2023 3:50:01 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
As a former member of the Downtown Urban Renewal District Board I would like to thank
the DBP and the members of the Committee responsible for the Bozeman Paid Parking WorkSession Final Report for their time, honesty, and diligence in examining the impact to
Downtown businesses of a Paid Parking Program.
I think we can all agree that it's the diversity of small businesses downtown that creates thevibrant culture attractive to locals and tourists alike. Most of us also agree that a Paid Parking
Program downtown is in the cards at some point to help pay for additional parkinggarages, downtown infrastructure once the URD sunsets, and as a gentle lever to incentivise
alternate modes of transport. It's just a matter of when.
The spiralling economics of the past 3 years have strained local businesses to the brink ofclosing their doors. In fact in the last 15 years I don't recall so many businesses closing in
such a short period of time as the last 6 months. If a Paid Parking Program adds additionalexpense to employees barely making rent and downtown businesses near or at the breaking
point, the economics may not make sense for many of them to stay in town or stay open.
One way to implement a Paid Parking Program sooner than later that doesn't unduly burdenstruggling businesses would be to fully subsidize employee parking for the first year. The
Committee responsible for the report clearly states in its Overview that the impact to itsemployees is one of its greatest concerns. If the net income of a Paid Parking Program is even
close to the projections, let's ensure the success of the program and support the vitality of thedowntown business community by removing an additional cost during escalating rents and
leases and uncertain economic times. A fully subsidized employee parking component in theshort-term would give the Paid Parking Program the greatest chance of success.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Wickes
-- Nicholas WickesCheck This Out- CEOThe Restaurant Sales Engine
www.checkthisout.io
nicholas@checkthisout.io