WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – City leaders spent hours debating an already approved plan to bring more paid parking to the center of the city. Some council members say they did not realize the full scope of their vote suggesting a redo, while others say the city has already signed a contract.
Local business owners oppose downtown parking changes
The city first approved this plan on Jan. 2 with the old council, but it received second-round approval with the current council on Jan. 9.
Now, Mayor Lily Wu said they need to push pause, claiming she received the specific “line item” late, on the day she was sworn in, and apologized if she initially missed it.
However, other city council members, including Brandon Johnson and Becky Tuttle, said every council member voted and discussed it again in June. They said this issue has been studied for years.
One restaurant owner near Old Town and the President of Delano United said charging people for parking could lead to customers choosing to spend their money elsewhere.