Ferndale DDA Recommends Rollback of Parking Rates, Hours

DDA board members say a full consensus is needed on the goal of increasing parking spaces before the public should be burdened with increased prices.

The Ferndale Downtown Development Authority announced Thursday that it will urge Ferndale City Council next week to roll back increased parking rates and expanded hours of enforcement. The DDA will present its recommendation at council’s Monday, March 11 meeting. Ferndale implemented new pay stations and parking rates in late January, and since then some residents have expressed frustrations about using the new system. On Feb. 28, council members voted to order 12 more pay stations and extend a free parking holiday through March 11 while the city works to address problems with the system. “We continue to stand by our Parking System Priority Resolution, which only supports a rate increase in tandem with the stated goal to increase capacity …

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Ronald Wolf

11:06 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013

One step foward, three steps back cha cha. I guess my days of visiting Ferndale are about over, not that there was a lot going on with many stores not keeping hours. I will continue to use the Western Market, love their OJ and FREE parking. Hope this new system does not reduce the traffic at the new Rust Belt. It would be a disaster.   more ›

Ferndale City Officials Respond to Parking Concerns

Mayor says parking rates are worth revisiting.

Ferndale city officials are responding to a growing wave of negative feedback after new parking rates and pay stations were implemented beginning late last month. City officials say feedback is being received at City Hall, the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority and on the Ferndale Park Plus web site. Residents have also been sharing their views on Patch, and a "Lower Ferndale's Parking Rates" Facebook group started last week that now has more than 450 "likes." "We knew that there was going to be some roll-out issues but frankly it's been more than we anticipated," Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter said on Thursday. "Our staff is working very hard to address everybody's concerns." The mayor also submitted this letter to the editor on Sunday…

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Kay Watson

2:03 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013

I agree with you Jean. It drove me out as a shopper. With this set up they probably won't need a parking garage as as people will shopping else where. And need a bond to finance it, Please. We can't pay the debts we have now. Haste makes waste and this is a prime example. $ signs in somebody's eyes made them move before enough planning was done as to how it would work. Think many of the residents…   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Letter: New Parking Rates Don't Represent Ferndale, Says Resident and Business Owner

This letter to the editor was submitted by Chris Johnston.

Ferndale Patch welcomes letters to the editor. The following was submitted by Ferndale resident and business owner Chris Johnston, partner at Woodward Avenue Brewers, The Emory and The Loving Touch. _______________________ I love Ferndale and want the best for it. Period. I don't believe that $1 per hour parking during weekend hours represents the Ferndale I envision. For 16 years we have operated Woodward Avenue Brewers. Like many other Ferndale businesses, we choose to set our pricing as close to "what we HAVE to charge" vs. "what WE CAN GET AWAY WITH charging". To me, that is the Ferndale way. We've also tried to incorporate that into The Emory, The Loving Touch and DIY Street Fair, with the latter not charging for admission, giving …

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Parking in Ferndale: Why the Changes, and What's Next?

More details from Monday night's City Council discussion on parking rates and enforcement.

Ferndale City Council voted Monday night to change parking rates, parking pass fees and enforcement hours. The new rate will be $1 per hour for on-street parking, 75 cents an hour in most lots, 50 cents an hour in one discounted lot, and $1 per hour in all lots after 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The current rate for on-street parking and lots is 50 cents per hour. Enforcement times will also change to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday (currently 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Here's a closer look at the issue, including more background from Monday night's council meeting. The city has been working with the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority to modernize its parking system, including the new multi-space parking meter …

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Ferndale OKs New Parking Rates, Enforcement Times

Changes expected to go into effect later this month.

Ferndale City Council approved new parking rates and enforcement times Monday night during their regular meeting. The new rate will be $1 per hour for on-street parking, 75 cents an hour in most lots, 50 cents an hour in one discounted lot, and $1 per hour in all lots after 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Enforcement times will change to 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday (currently 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Council also approved new rates for parking passes, including a new rate system for downtown employees based on lot location and a decreased rate ($75 for 6 months; $100 for a year) for residents who live downtown. The new rates and enforcement times go into effect as soon as the multi-space metering system is fully …

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Buddyb

7:18 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Agreed with the Resident only parking, but it needs to be expanded. I spoke with my neighbor one block south of me on Breckinridge and his family deals with the same issues I have, waking up to Trash, Beer cans and my favorite things to pick up dumped cigarettes littering my lawn by the street. Not to mention that I better have one car parked on the street before 7PM on Friday or Saturday or I …   more ›