Galveston considering paid parking along Seawall

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Katishia Cosley

(7/12/07 - KTRK/GALVESTON, TX) (KTRK) -- You may need to take some extra cash with you the next time you head to the beach in Galveston. Parking along the Seawall may soon cost you.

The city of Galveston is once again talking about charging beachgoers to park. But not everyone was against the idea, once they found out what the money would be used for.

The mayor says this is an idea the city has been tossing around for about 14 years! This latest proposal seeks to charge beachgoers who park from 6th to 69th street. If it passes, the mayor says revenue would go towards some much needed improvements along the beach.

The days of enjoying an afternoon under the sun along Galveston Beach may no longer be free. Instead prime, gulf-front spaces, could go for about $8 a day. Don't worry, Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas says you won't have to run back and forth putting quarters in meters, instead the city council is discussing the idea of permitted parking.

"I call it kiosk permitted parking where a visitor will go to a kiosk along seawall and buy a permit to put in the windshield of the car," Thomas said.

The mayor also says season passes, which go for about $25, are also on the list up for discussion though it's a list beach goers don't want to hear.

"We spend enough coming here from Houston with the gas prices," said one beachgoer. "We don't need to get charged for the beach too."

"Not a good thing at all," said another. "It's nice to have something for free, especially during the summer."

The mayor says parking fees would pay for things like beach erosion and to put bathrooms along the beach, something they don't have federal funding for now.

The city anticipated getting about $4 million in federal funding to pay for these amenities, but the mayor says that's either been taken away or the city has to put up money first before getting a match grant from the government.

However the idea of a place to wash up after a hot day under the sun has some changing their tune about parking fees.

"One of the main thing people always ask me is where can I find some showers, public showers and restrooms," said life guard Alfredo De Los Santos. "They're here, but scarce [and] definitely needed."

The city council continued their discussion on these parking fees to July 26th.

Three years ago when this controversial issue was brought up, residents petitioned the city and eventually changed the charter. The new provisions require any plans involving paid parking along the Seawall be put to a public vote. So even if the council decides to go forward with this, it would still have to be voted on by the public before it's a done deal.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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