East Side residents push back against Wickenden Street parking meters

By Kirsten Glavin

kglavin@abc6.com

@kirstenglavin

PROVIDENCE, RI –

At least 50 unhappy East Side residents and business owners voiced their concerns to the mayor Monday night over his parking meter proposal.  Shop owners were determined to not let the meters hurt their businesses on Wickenden Street.

They argued that meters would drive away customers, hurt tourism in that section of the historic district, and make it difficult for their own staff to park on the already crowded street.

"It’s going to hurt my business really badly because our employees park on the street, run in to get keys, run in to get signs, are in and out all day,” explained David Schaeffer, co-owner of Samson Realty on Wickenden Street.

Neighbors were also concerned that people would avoid paying, and instead opt to park in front of their homes.

"Wickenden Street on both sides… you go one block over and there’s peoples houses,” said Claire Newell, a resident on a neighboring street. “We pay high taxes here, we have good value on our property and we supported the Mayor. Now I’m just shocked that this is being implemented."

They mayor insisted that the problem boils down to the city’s budget deficit, and meters on Wickenden Street could bring in $125,000 a year.

"We have a structural deficit in the city. That means that if we do nothing, we are going to be further and further in deficit… 85 million dollars by the year 2021. We cant allow that to happen,” Mayor Jorge Elorza told ABC6 News.

He added that he is open to hearing other proposals to raise revenue.

"I’m going to hear them out, understand their concerns. So I’m going to see what kind of solution we can come up with that benefits not just the street, but the city as a whole,” Elorza said.