Businesses support meters

On behalf of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, I would like to thank all our elected officials and city staff for supporting parking modernization in downtown. This includes credit and debit card payment options at each space, along with coin payment (no more hunting for change), and real-time guidance to available spaces, pricing and length of stay information through free smartphone apps.

All new revenue is now dedicated to improving downtown. In 2014, it will fund things like two police officers, sidewalk repairs, improved landscaping, additional parking spaces and other enhancements of downtown common areas to make your downtown experience safer and more pleasant. So, your parking fees are being paid forward.

Finally, with Spokane City Council approval, you will have longer time stays and, if you use a smartphone payment app, you receive a notice when your meter is running low and will be able to add time without leaving your meeting, shopping or park visit.

Downtown businesses are highly supportive of these changes because of the direct conveniences provided to their customers and because on-street parking revenue will improve our downtown streetscapes; making downtown even more beautiful than it is today.

Andrew Rolwes

Spokane