Like most workers in downtown Orange, Robin Bowman has witnessed the constant flow of drivers circling the Plaza for a convenient parking place.  But that pattern has started to change with the February rollout of parking meters.

Bowman, Manager at Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, has mixed feelings.  “I can see it from both sides,” she says.  Visitors looking for a quick stop will now have easier access to closer parking, decreasing the need to circle the Plaza.  But workers will have to get used to a little more walking.  She feels uneasy about employee safety during late-night walks back to the parking structure.  “We’ll have to see in the upcoming months if it’s beneficial,” she says.

The Orange City Council adopted an ordinance to bring parking meters to the Orange Plaza area.  A city-commissioned study evaluated the number of parking places on the streets and parking lots around the Plaza.  The study revealed that while central parking spaces were heavily used, peripheral parking was underutilized.

Charlene Cheng, Orange Spokeswoman, says that the city worked closely with the Downtown Merchants Association throughout the creation and implementation of the program.  “Paid parking helps increase turnover so customers can park when they need to,” she says.  “It also reduces circling and congestion and supports downtown vitality by improving parking availability.”

The city may use meter revenue for infrastructure enhancement and maintenance in the Old Towne Plaza area.

“As the paid parking program rolls out, the city will continue to review both community input and parking data and adjustments may be made as needed,” Cheng says.  “The city remains committed to balancing the needs of merchants, residents and visitors, and we’re working to ensure the program supports a vibrant and accessible downtown.”

For special events that require full closure of the Plaza, paid parking will be suspended, Cheng says.

Police recommend that evening shift workers use the buddy system when returning to their cars in the structure and other areas, as well as being aware of surroundings and keeping their keys in hand.

Community members should report any suspicious activity, says Orange Police Lt. Mike Monjaraz.  “Our Crime Prevention Unit is available to provide safety presentations or business watch presentations if they feel it might be helpful,” he says.

Marty Underwood, Assistant Manager for Antique Station, says she is concerned about how the change will affect businesses.  While her location has its own parking lot, the store owner’s second location, Antique Depot across the street, does not.

The Antique Station, which has been in the Plaza since the 1990s, has celebrated record high sales in the last couple of years, Underwood says.  But she’s unsure if customers will continue coming downtown with the meters.  “Obviously it’s going to affect everyone differently,” she says.

Visitors to other Orange and Los Angeles County cities have eventually grown accustomed to paying to park, notes Bowman, who has her fingers crossed that it doesn’t take long for Orange customers to adjust to the change.  “As a manager, I would hope they’d still come and support the businesses despite the paid parking,” she says.

- - - -

The Details:

-  Costs: On-street parking is $1.50 to $2 per hour; paid city parking lots cost $1.25 per hour to park.  Time limits vary, with a maximum of three hours available.

-  Duration: Seven days per week from 9 am to 6 pm, including holidays.

-  Parking is free before 9 am and after 6 pm.

-  Parking can be paid through kiosks using cards, coins, tap to-pay and mobile wallet.

-  The parking structure on Lemon St. off Chapman remains free to park.

-  Drivers with valid state-issued disabled placards or plates are exempt from paid parking fees and time limits.

- Many city-owned lots remain free for visitors.

-  Full details are onlined at: www.CityOfOrange.org/paidparking

- - - -