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Mall says no more free parking for Foothill Transit riders
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Publishing date: 02.02.2010 |
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Do-it-yourself solutions don’t work, and of course mall customers are complaining against “their” space being taken away. But what about charging both transit riders and customers?San GabrielValley Tribune, February 1, 2010
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WEST COVINA - Hundreds of Foothill Transit bus riders have been parking at the West Covina Shopping Mall for free, but mall management plans to put an end to the practice next week.
The mall's staff recently put a note on car windshields reading:
"Effective February 8, 2010, any individuals observed parking their vehicles in the parking areas for any reasons other than visiting the mall will be cited, and potentially towed at the vehicle owner's expense as allowed by CVC 22658."
"We've had several complaints from customers,"
Westfield-West Covina spokeswoman Amanda Farnsworth said. "Our parking is reserved for customers and we want to make their experience the best possible."
The dispute highlights a larger issue of parking problems for Foothill Transit customers. For about 16 years, Foothill's staff has been trying to find a good spot for its riders to park.
The agency last year proposed building a a five-story garage on Vincent Avenue near The Lakes shopping center.
City officials, however, are opposed to the project because the building would block visibility to nearby shopping centers and increase traffic in the area.
The City Council is scheduled to decide on the matter at tonight's meeting.
West Covina resident Dean Salter, 45, daily rides Foothill transit with his wife. He questioned the prudence of Westfield's proposed parking enforcement.
"It's not just a matter of us taking away all those empty parking spots nobody's using," Salter said. "Westfield is taking away business. A lot of people get off the bus and go in the mall to buy things."
Park and ride customers could always pay the $1 a day West Covina charges to park at City Hall's, officials said.
"Only 50 percent of the spaces at City Hall are being used," Councilman Mike Touhey said. "It's 12 cents an hour there. In LA they charge you $30 a day to park."
Touhey believes Foothill Transit should be footing the bill for their park-and-ride customers.
"It's not unreasonable for Westfield to expect compensation for the use of property they have to repair and clean," Touhey said. "I'd love to park all the people from my business on someone else's parking lot and let them pay to maintain it."
In the past, Foothill Transit has rented parking spaces from nearby businesses such as Wickes Furniture.
Mall officials would be open to leasing spots to the transit authority. But a looming budget crisis makes that out of the question, officials from the bus cooperative said.
"We are anticipating a significant budget deficit in the next year," Foothill Transit spokeswoman Felicia E. Friesema. "We're not in a position to put other expenses on top of the current budget situation."
In an e-mail to riders, Foothill Transit urged their passengers to attend tonight's council meeting.
"Your voice as a West Covina Resident and Line 498 rider has never been more important. Yes, we need your support... Please come prepared to tell the council what you think about this project and what it means to you and your daily life as a West Covina resident."
In the meantime, park and ride patrons will be left to their own devices to find parking.
"All of our heads are spinning," West Covina resident Grace Salter said. "I don't know all the politics... They have to do something for all these commuters in West Covina.
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