Downtown Tracy Redevelopment Plan Didn't Include More Parking
TRACY (CBS13) — When Tracy redeveloped part of its downtown, specifically on 10th Street, by bringing in new shops and restaurants, it didn't add any parking.
Instead, shoppers need to park at two-hour spots and risk getting ticketed if they shop or eat too long.
The entire process for color treatment at Rumors Salon take a few hours, but parking outside the salon is only for two hours.
"We just have clients that are worried about their cars being towed after two hours," said stylist Ashley Forbes.
The business owners on 10th Street say they work hard to bring in out-of-town customers, but the city isn't giving them the time to keep them.
"They come here and want to be here for some time. They want to eat here. They want to shop. They want to stay longer than two hours," said Rumors owner Tanya Garcia-Will.
But parking is limited. even handicap spots are only found behind the stores, but Tracy keeps encouraging more fairs and events on 10th Street.
The Tracy City Center Association says downtown might not actually have a downtown parking problem. Instead, there might be a perception problem.
"If you were in San Francisco or Oakland, if you could park within a block of where you were going, it would be your lucky day. Parking shortage is a barometer of success, so we're happy that we have it," said Dino Margaros.
He says the long-term solution is a parking garage or lot, but without redevelopment agencies, that parking project isn't planned for the immediate future.