You Say That Like It’s a Bad Thing

Friday’s Kitsap Sun includes a story about the survey results asking whether people thought paying for parking downtown was a good idea.

In an earlier post I wrote ” . . . everyone acknowledges there is a problem that requires a solution sooner rather than later.”

Don Wesley responded, ” . . . prove to me, the parking problem. I’ve been doing business downtown for five years now and have never had a problem finding parking on the streets.”

Wesley may be right. You’ll notice in the story Mike Shepherd, city councilman, says there isn’t a problem with demand. He’s undecided on the parking kiosk issue, but sees the sole benefit as it being a way to provide funds to help improve the aesthetics downtown.

Nonetheless, there are some (probably the minority) business owners who favor the kiosks. Perhaps there’s a benefit to getting people used to this before downtown is really hopping. What do you think?

Click below to see the chamber’s survey results.

Bremerton, Washington – The Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce has released the results of their surveys regarding the installation of parking kiosks in downtown Bremerton.

Two non-scientific surveys were created by the Chamber in mid-June. One survey was designed for those who live or work in the downtown area, the other for those who visit downtown.

Silvia Klatman, Executive Director of the Chamber, stated “Although the Chamber has not yet decided whether to take a position on this issue, we believed it was important to gauge the initial reaction to the City’s idea of installing parking kiosks in the downtown core.”

“The results are a good starting point for the community to begin discussion. Because we also sought comments from participants, the City will now know not only the level of support but also the concerns,

misperceptions and ideas of people downtown and of those who visit the core,” said Klatman. “The City can use these results to address those concerns, misperceptions and ideas.”

Results
(Please note: some questions could have multiple answers so some totals come to more than 100%)

Survey: People who work downtown
Number of responses: 130

What type of business/organization do you own or operate?
43% Business or Professional Services
23% Other
15% Consumer Services
8% Government
7% Retail
6% Restaurants/Beverages/Other Food
2% Gallery
2% Tourist Attraction

How do you conduct most of your business with customers/clients?
44% Face to face, in your store or office
31% Via phone
11% Face to face, at your clients’ places of business or homes
9% Via computer
5% Other

What impact do you think paid street parking will have on keeping and attracting your clients/customers?
55% Negative
30% No impact
9% Don’t know
6% Positive

What impact do you think paid street parking will have on your ability to keep and attract employees?
58% Negative
29% No impact
8% Don’t know
5% Positive

Do you and/or your staff use all day paid surface parking/garages?
68% Yes
32% No

Do you and/or your staff use public transportation?
80% No
20% Yes

Do you support installing parking kiosks downtown this year?
78% No
22% Yes

Would you support installing parking kiosks in the future?
60% No
40% Yes

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Survey: People who live and/or work outside of downtown
Number of responses: 99

How often do you visit downtown Bremerton?
31% Two or more times per week
23% Two or more times per month
14% Daily
11% Weekly
10% Every few months
6% Monthly
3% Haven’t been downtown in more than a year
1% Every six months
1% Once a year

What do you do downtown?
65% Eat
55% Special events (First Friday Art Walk, Armed Forces Festival,
Blackberry Festival, concerts, other downtown events, etc.)
52% Conduct business with downtown companies/organizations
47% Attend meetings/conferences
39% Sight see (museums, galleries, boardwalk, etc.)
36% Conduct business with the government
27% Shop
22% Other consumer services
15% Other
6% I don’t go downtown

Do you support installing parking kiosks for downtown street parking?
71% No
29% yes

Would you support this plan in the future?
51% No
49% Yes

For classification purposes, please let us know where you live.
34% Bremerton – inside city limits
23% Bremerton – outside city limits
15% Port Orchard/South Kitsap
12% Poulsbo/North Kitsap
8% Silverdale/Central Kitsap
3% Downtown Bremerton
2% Bainbridge Island
2% North Mason
1% Other area in Pierce County
0% Gig Harbor, Jefferson County, Shelton, other areas in Mason County

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The Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1907, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting member businesses and providing leadership to enhance a positive business environment. The Chamber can be reached at chamber@bremertonchamber.org or (360) 479-3579.