WSET.com - ABC13Lynchburg Eyeing Another Paid Parking Lot Downtown

Reporter: Lauren Compton l Videographer: Jemon Haskins

Lynchburg, VA- The city's Parking Authority is looking at plans to start charging people at the lot near the Craddock Terry Hotel at Commerce and Main Streets.

The city recently lost 80 public spots downtown when the Criminal Justice Academy bought space. Parking officials say the plan will help with the problem, but area businesses aren't so sure.

The 54 spot lot on Commerce and Main Street is a prime place for parking in downtown Lynchburg. It's free and in walking distance to the community market. Parking Authority Manager Norman Hale says changing it to paid parking could actually help people.

"They could come downtown, stay all day, and park in one particular location for $5. If they just need three hours or four hours, they could just pay for that time," said Hale.

Hale says turning that lot into a paid lot could also help businesses by keep cars moving in and out of the lot, which means more customers. But not everyone is sold on that.

"I think it would be a deterrent at this point. We're still building, and we're still growing," said David Torres, co-owner of Zen Micro Spa & Salon.

A lot of customers at the Zen Micro Spa and Salon park in the free lot. Outside the salon, parking is limited and doesn't allow nearly enough time to get your hair done.

"It's one hour parking in front of our building so we have had a few people ticketed," said Torres.

"I don't want to pay to park. Who wants to pay to park?", said Alex Richardson, owner of Robin Alexander.

But Richardson says he thinks the change could do a lot of businesses good.

"It keeps the flow going for everyone so everyone can benefit from it. And people don't have all day employees taking up one particular spot," said Richardson.

The Parking Authority voted unanimously for this. They still have to decide how the lot would be operated and if it is even possible to do this. Their next meeting is March 13.