The downtown parking structure and other parking lots in Ventura will continue to be free — for now.
The Ventura City Council on Tuesday switched course on charging for downtown parking, citing a need for more data. The parking plan is expected to return to the council again in February, said Heather Sumagaysay, city spokesperson.
Council members said they were swayed after hearing more from the public. Councilmember Liz Campos said she received over 50 emails about the issue.
“After our last decision on this item, many people believed, because they didn’t hear everything, that paid parking was starting immediately,” Campos said. “I’m certain some of these businesses can attest revenue has gone down in the last few weeks. I’m downtown every day, and I know the number of people downtown has dropped.”
Councilmember Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios said she was not comfortable voting for paid parking with unanswered questions from businesses and their employees on how it will affect them.
The original plan, approved on Nov. 13 in a 6-1 vote, would turn many free parking spots into paid spots starting May 1. The change would affect the parking structure on Santa Clara Street and many surface lots that ring the heart of downtown along both sides of Main Street.