Georgia getting free parking now. Good for you DeKalb County, you are ahead of the curve! Many cities will follow your lead.
By David Markiewicz
The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionFrom his perch behind the latte dispenser, Starbucks employee Frank Kecseti can look outside across Ponce de Leon Avenue and ogle with envy the cream-colored Vespa parked in front of Mick’s restaurant.
It’s not the flashy scooter that’s caught the fancy of the 20-year-old Decatur resident. It’s the land it occupies.
The two-wheeler holds sway over that most prime piece of real estate in charm city’s downtown: the free parking spot.
The curbside warning sign that guards the six diagonally striped slots says it all. Scooter parking only, it informs, and just for those with 250 cc engines. Heaving hulks, back off. That means you, Mr. SUV, and you, too, Mrs. Minivan.
Kecseti as well, who’s a might green over the restrictions. Though he walks to work, he’s eyeing a 500 cc motorcycle. So, there’s no room at the in spot for him, either.
Still, of the scooter slots he says, “I’m glad they did it. It’s going to be an asset to our community.”
Lyn Menne’s sure of it. She’s the assistant city manager and an advocate of the spaces which were added a little over a month ago. Lines recently were repainted after they were obliterated during a water repair project.
“People started using them immediately after we put them in,” Menne said. “It was amazing. Everything we’ve heard has been positive.”
It worked so well, she said, that the city plans two more scooter parking areas downtown, “where we know there will be heavy use.”
Click the title link to read the whole story. Can you get this done in YOUR hometown?
Wed, Aug 1, 2007
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