MORGANTOWN — Morgantown Parking Authority (MPA) is now offering free parking downtown from 4-9 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays until Aug. 11.
Charlie McEwuen, owner of Tanner’s Alley and Morgantown Parking Authority board president, said the parking authority exists solely to help support commerce in downtown.
What people might not know is the MPA is made up of many local business owners. People coming to park downtown are often those business owners’ livelihood, and so, in turn, they are concerned about customers being able to find parking spaces.
The free parking during summer idea was presented to McEwuen by a fellow downtown business owner, and the idea just clicked. The summer is a laid-back time, he said, with the parking pressure off, especially in the evening.
“We decided, let’s try it, and it was a unanimous decision. Everybody thought that it was certainly a program worth trying,” McEwuen said.
The idea came into effect quickly. The MPA had its monthly meeting June 12, and by June 13, the idea was instituted.
The MPA is a little different than other city entities. It receives no funding from the city, and it’s up to authority members to come up with their own revenue for costs of maintenance, employees and so on. However, they still have to run any major changes, such as rate changes, through the city.
It’s estimated that in this gesture, the MPA would lose about $20,000 in revenue, but it’s something the authority isn’t worried about.
“We’re not really a for-profit business. As long as we can cover our expenses and save for future expenses, that’s good enough. And we’re in a position now that we agreed we could suffer the loss for the good of the downtown economy,” McEwuen said.
Garages will not be offered free in the summer, but McEwuen said there will be enough parking in surface lots and streets that it shouldn’t be a problem.
Barbara Watkins, executive director of Main Street Morgantown, said local businesses are often encouraged to stay open late, and this customer incentive has led them to want to do that.
Main Street Morgantown is also working on events to bring people into the downtown district. During Main Street Morgantown events, the MPA often offers free parking, such as during Chocolate Lover’s Day or Kid’s Day. Watkins said it is important to stay supportive of local businesses, because that money stays in Morgantown.
“In the summertime especially, we encourage the local residents to come out and shop and dine, and this is just another way to show them we really appreciate their patronage for the downtown,” she said.
According to Anthony DiGangi, chief operating officer of Lotsa Stone Fired Pizza, in college towns, business decreases in the summer months. So he’s excited for the draw of free parking.
“I’m surprised there’s not more buzz about it. It’s kind of a big deal,” he said.
Lotsa tweeted about the parking, and that tweet has since been retweeted a number of times.
Jamie McFalls, the store’s general manager, said she definitely sees a difference in summertime. This means that the resturant has to alter its marketing.
“I do think the alternative option of not having to pay for parking to go out to eat somewhere versus having to pay for parking definitely causes a difference,” she said.
She said she has heard people say they go to other restaurants because parking is free, so she’s pretty excited about the new options.
Free parking started June 13, and McFalls said she thinks this week the restaurant will likely see a difference in business.
“It’s our responsibility to let our customers know,” she said. “We value you, please come in, and don’t pay for parking.”
