JACKSON, Mich. — The City of Jackson has decided to put a hold on its plan to implement metered parking in the downtown area after local business owners expressed concerns about its potential negative impact on traffic and customer foot traffic. The city had initially planned to introduce the new pay-to-park system starting on July 1, with the goal of generating revenue for parking maintenance. However, after receiving feedback from the community, city officials have agreed to reconsider the proposal.
A special meeting of the Jackson City Council will be held next Wednesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the issue further. The meeting will take place in the 2nd Floor City Council Chambers of City Hall.
Jackson Mayor Daniel Mahoney emphasized the city’s commitment to listening to the concerns of local business owners and residents. “We have heard the concerns of our business owners and community members loud and clear,” Mahoney said in a statement. “Our goal is to create a system that works for everyone—residents, visitors, and businesses alike. After taking the feedback into careful consideration, we believe it’s necessary to take a step back and engage in further discussions before moving forward.”
The proposed metered parking system was designed to shift the financial responsibility of parking maintenance from business owners to those parking in public spaces. City officials had hoped that the revenue generated by the meters would help maintain and improve parking infrastructure downtown. However, many local business owners have raised concerns that the new system could drive away customers who would be unwilling to pay for parking, particularly in an area where people often park briefly for errands or short visits.
Michelle Moore, the owner of The Blessed Nest, expressed her opposition to the meters, explaining that the current system allows customers to park for free for up to two hours with the payment of a fee by business owners. Moore said she would prefer to see her fee increased rather than having customers be forced to pay for parking. “If you choose to have people pay to park, they’re not going to want to do that and they’re going to go elsewhere,” Moore said.
Other business owners, like Laura Davenport of The Blue Julep, echoed these concerns. Davenport argued that her customers, who typically visit for quick transactions, would be deterred by the need to pay for parking. “It’s going to be hard for a customer to justify paying the meter then going in to buy a cupcake,” Davenport said.
Juanita Meyerink, a mental health professional who operates in Downtown Jackson, also shared her worries about the potential impact on clients. Meyerink noted that many of her clients stop by for brief appointments and may be discouraged by the added cost of parking. “I have people that now have to pay $2 for their own mental health,” she said.
In light of these concerns, Moore has suggested that the city explore alternative parking solutions that do not involve meters. She believes that a reassessment of the current parking protocol and enforcement practices could help address the city’s need for parking revenue without deterring customers.
Aaron Dimick, a spokesperson for the city, assured residents and business owners that the city council is committed to finding a solution that works for everyone. “We don’t want to deter anyone from coming downtown and being a part of what we are doing here. Really it’s about moving forward from here,” Dimick said. “We know what people do not want, so it’s just about finding the right solutions moving forward.”
The outcome of next Wednesday’s special meeting will determine the future of the metered parking plan and whether the city will pursue other alternatives to address parking needs in the downtown area.
