Landing Now Validates Parking

[Steve]

Just in time for the Florida-Georgia football game crowd: The way you can pay to leave your vehicle in the parking lot adjacent to the Landing has changed. Workers have installed new automated equipment that accepts credit and debit cards. In a few weeks, merchants at the Landing will be able to validate receipts so customers who come to dine or shop can park in the lot free or at a reduced rate.

[Steve]

This is where the city should be helping out.  Instead of outsourcing the management of these garages, the city should maintain them, and install the same thing for other downtown merchants.  Work with them to put in place a validation program, and while the city might take a hit on parking, it will help them make the retailers and small businesses more successful.

[copperfiend]

This is good, right?

[Steve]

This is good, right?

I think so - most major cities have this, and we should have had this a long time ago.  In San Diego at Horton Plaza (think Jax Landing, double the size, put the 1987 mix of stores back, and add Nordstrom and Macy's), if you buy a pack of gum, you get three hours of free parking.  It's great.