Enforcement, better signs and all-day parking for TFI employees were the chief concerns expressed by downtown merchants at a parking public hearing Monday evening.
A half dozen downtown merchants spoke in front of the Traffic Safety Committee about how to address the switch from parking meters to free timed parking. The meters could be removed as early as the end of this month.
After an hour of public comments, the committee made two modifications and then recommended all the various parking time limits to the Emporia City Commission, who will address the subject at a work session Jan. 26.
The most signficant change was for the lot off Mechanic Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues. Todd Wright, with TFI Family Service, said they have 65 employees, many of which park for eight more hours during the work day.
To read complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.
matt (anonymous) says...
TFI gets free parking?
January 11, 2011 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt (anonymous) says...
That was just a question, not a comment, our paper hasent got here yet.
January 11, 2011 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
Maybe we could charge TFI for some kind of sticker or sign to put in their employee's vehicles? Another source or revenue for the city perhaps ???
Not knocking the employees of TFI.
January 11, 2011 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jokesonme (anonymous) says...
Wouldn't a parking garage be nice? I'm sure someone has given this some thought by now and there must be some reason I haven't heard it discussed.
January 12, 2011 at 12:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jokesonme (anonymous) says...
Sounds like parking space blackmail to me!
January 12, 2011 at 12:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt (anonymous) says...
Parking Garage sounds good. Why hasent that idea came up. They could get more cars and just think what those greedy % could charge.
January 12, 2011 at 6:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
CASA employees need free parking as well, I've heard those ladies have gotten tickets for parking.
Nonprofits and social service organizations around town shouldn't have to pay for parking to the city. They do a great service for the community already.
January 12, 2011 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I own a building downtown that I'll sell to the city for $200,001.99 to tear down for a parking lot / garage.
January 12, 2011 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wirewatt (Ken Bazil) says...
It needs to go a little farther, the TFI also park their cars there over night. They should use the lots across the street to the NE or pay for parking permits. The spaces are always used when we have things going on at the auditorium during the week or on the weekend. They should have to pay to use the prime spots or allow employees to take vehicles home.
January 12, 2011 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Boy oh Boy, now everyone and his brother wants free parking ! What a mess this is going to be !!!
I honestly believe parking garages are the best solution and have no parking on Commercial at all or just abandon the Downtown area and move everything to North West ! That is what a few people want anyway !!!
OR
Just leave the damned meters and " Fugid a boud id "!
OR
Remove the meters and allow everyone to park free on a " First come First Parked " basis, no parking time limit, no parking tickets, no nothing !!!
January 12, 2011 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
I don't work for any nonprofits or social service agencies that need downtown parking.
I just feel we should support the staff that works for our community is all.
So its not me wanting free parking for me and my brother. =/
January 12, 2011 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
ToxicPink,
I know ToxicPink ! I don' t want free parking either, but this whole thing is going to get out of hand ! That is why I made the " tongue in cheek" comments I did !!
January 12, 2011 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Well I mean I don't think every single person who works on commercial should.
Just the nonprofits. (Yes I'm probably biased)
But really, we need something. I like the idea of a parking garage too. But, where would it go? Or permits for employees?
How about a money tree?
January 12, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
FOR SALE
BUILDING AT 405 COMMERCIAL
COULD BE TORN DOWN TO EXPAND PARKING LOT SPACE
ASKING $200,001.99
January 12, 2011 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I know it's against the rules to advertise on these forums, but the question was asked, where and how.
January 12, 2011 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The city and county could go together and buy all the property on the west side of commercial in the 400 block and build a 5 story garage that matches the courthouse.
Boy that would be keen !
Of course there would need to be security at the entrances to check for terrorist bombs and such.
January 12, 2011 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
wirewatt - TFI company vehicles are a fleet and can't be taken home because at any time day or night staff may need them and they need to be available at the office, not parked at someone's house. Maybe the city and TFI can work out an agreement for a reasonable yearly parking fee and have stickers in the TFI car windows. Just a thought.
January 12, 2011 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
steve NOOOOOOOO!!!!! lol
as was discussed before, why not put a parking garage where the old bruff's was? you can't sell out.... i haven't got to see towns royale yet!!!
January 12, 2011 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
scarlett01_98
They way our city manager treated Gary Burgess when he 1st came to town, I don't see a sale to the city of that property anytime soon. But i'm ready to sell, retire and move on down the road. So as soon as a check cleared the bank, I'd be gone.
January 12, 2011 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
steve i missed something, who is gary burgess?
January 12, 2011 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
He owns the land., and Bruff's. When Zimmerman first came to town there was an exchange between him and Gary that could be considered unprofessional. But hey, that's water under the bridge, or should I say water down the storm drain.
January 12, 2011 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
oh ok steve. i haven't been around here that long, just 15 years. i'm confused......
January 12, 2011 at 5:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
for each of you who talk about a mutipile floor parking garage, I kinda wonder how many of you have actually even been in one? Do you realize the area that it would take to be able to drive from the ground floor to the next floor, and then, hey, you got to be able to go back down, so befoe you think you have the idea again, just think how much space is required, then how many small towns the size od emporia, maybe 25,000 people have a parking garage, and if emporia had one, you would be wanting you own private spot on the damn thing, TPI would not be satisified if it was built above them,a nd the fat women would still bitch about having to walk to the elevator,, it would be a never ending problem,, I say just FIRE ZIMMERMAN, problem solved,,, before he raises the city taxes to pay for one, geeeeee
January 12, 2011 at 6:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
well just a flush,
yes i have used multiple level garages. what is it with you and large women, anyway?
January 12, 2011 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )