Parking changes a part of Dover’s downtown rebirth

A story in Foster's Daily Democrat published May 22 titled “Parking crunch” drew a lot of attention on social media, some constructive and some not so much.

The city’s Parking Commission has been discussing and will propose to the City Council a number of measures aimed at addressing some of Dover's parking problems. Among them are adding parking enforcement on Saturdays, extending parking meters by an hour and implementing a progressive parking fee structure.

Commission members believe their policy changes, if implemented, will encourage more turnover in downtown parking spaces in the short-term while generating additional revenue to pay off Dover's parking garage sooner so the city could consider building a second garage.

Some of our print readers and those who posted comments on our Facebook page took strong exception to some of these proposals, likening the management of parking in Dover to what some see as the mismanagement in Portsmouth.

We think such criticism misses the mark.

First of all, anyone who has lived in Dover over the past few generations should be grateful for the downtown's rebirth. It wasn’t that long ago that city fathers and mothers fashioned a development plan that rehabilitated tired and worn buildings while changing the face of the downtown to draw visitors and residents who now call the area home. Today, downtown Dover is no longer a semi-abandoned wasteland as it was a few decades ago.

Key to creating a thriving downtown were changes in zoning that brought housing to the city proper and residents who can now shop where they live. This was a reversal from post-World War II thinking that brought sprawling neighborhoods to Dover’s outskirts and fostered a business exodus from the downtown to places like the Miracle Mile and Weeks Crossing (once the Weeks Traffic Circle).

That is a success story worth celebrating, not dissing on social media.

That said, there can be too much of a good thing. And if you weed out the outliers who would rather complain than be helpful, there is some good advice being offered.

Of particular note is the problem of those who abuse periods of free parking. Those who choose to park in prime downtown spots without shopping have created a problem. Businesses depend on shoppers who cannot get to their stores if someone is hogging parking spaces.

“They have (apartment) parking, but they choose to park in front of my business,” said Susan Hanna of SEH Studios at One Washington Center about residents who are contributing to the problem.

Tammy Johnson, who owns The Nook Breakfast & Lunch restaurant on Locust Street, told the committee she is paying closer attention to parking activity at a lot near her store. By Saturday morning, 11 of the 19 spaces were utilized. “On Sunday the same cars were there. It’s like that every week,” she said.

Parking proposals that limit long-term parking make sense. Increasing the cost of parking also is worth considering so long as it doesn't become expensive enough to drive people away.

As for Dover avoiding some of the problems that seemingly plague Portsmouth, we sympathize.

Parking control and enforcement requires a deft hand to balance the needs of residents and shoppers. Tipped too far in the direction of revenue over turnover and shoppers will avoid Dover, as some avoid downtown Portsmouth today.

Whether Dover needs another parking garage is fair debate, as are the specifics of how the city’s Parking Commission is looking to address current problems. But that debate should not throw the baby out with the bath water.

We suggest celebrating and taking advantage of Dover’s success in reinvigorating the downtown. And we urge residents and business owners to collectively take steps necessary to continue that success. This includes local taxpayers who, while bearing some of the costs involved, are reaping the benefits of a strong business community.