OREGON DISTRICT LOT TO BEGIN CHARGING FOR PARKING
Lot’s 140 spaces remain free until 4 p.m.; $3 fee required until 4 a.m.
A free parking lot in the Oregon Historic District is converting to a pay system from late afternoon to the early morning hours to pay for security, aesthetic improvements and increased maintenance.
The Oregon community lot, located at the southwest end of the business district on East Fifth Street, will start charging car owners $3 to park from between 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. seven days a week.
The lot’s 140 public spaces will remain free up until 4 p.m., but after that, people will have to use a pay station or a mobile app to avoid getting a ticket or possibly towed.
Drinking and misbehavior in the parking lot has led to trash, broken bottles, broken glass and other issues that hopefully will be eliminated with the addition of a parking authority and attendant, said Steve Budd, senior adviser of CityWide, which is part owner of the lot.
“And we haven’t done a refresh of the landscape in eight years,” he said.
But some shop owners and citizens think charging for parking is a bad idea that will hurt local businesses and the residential neighborhood, which they say will see more visitors taking up the spots they relied on.
“For sure it will hurt retail — it’s never good for retail — which is why we didn’t want to be a part of it,” said Alex Staiger, owner of Omega Music, which is right next to the lot.
Starting Monday, the Oregon District community lot will begin charging car owners after 4 p.m.
Four pay machines will be installed at the property, which is located by Omega Music, Ore-