Fernandina Beach community protests proposal for paid parking in historic downtown district

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – A proposal from the city of Fernandina Beach to implement paid parking in the historic downtown district is getting major pushback from the community.

City commissioners are the ones pushing the proposal, but some in the Fernandina community say they are concerned that adding parking meters to downtown will alter the area’s charm.

One group that’s been the most vocal is business owners.

“There is no animosity in my message; this is just a genuine request of service,” Marisol Triana, owner of Hola! Cuban Cafe said during a public meeting with the city. “Today, me and a boutique owner walked downtown giving out the ‘No paid parking’, what was staggering is that the vast majority of these folks had no idea that this was happening, and the few who did were shocked it was moving so quickly.”

Triana added that around 37 businesses would be impacted by the paid parking and said there was a great deal of panic because this puts the business owners’ livelihoods in jeopardy.

While out downtown, many people passing by told News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee they are against the proposal, and they won’t stand for it.

There is now a petition against the proposal, and at last check, there were more than 4,000 signatures.

In part, the petition reads:

“For small business owners, this decision could lead to devastating consequences. Many shops and restaurants in our historic downtown area survive on the ease and accessibility currently provided by the free parking arrangement. Introducing parking fees could deter both locals and visitors alike, potentially driving them to other areas where they can park freely.”

The backlash caught the attention of the city of Fernandina Beach, and the city posted a video to its Facebook page attempting to debunk what it called rumors.

The video states:

• Parking meters won’t disrupt the charm of the historic downtown because paid parking is now a largely mobile platform
• If this proposal is approved, the funding from the paid parking will go downtown
• Downtown parking was never free because it is currently funded by city taxpayers

Mainstreet Fernandina is expected to have a private meeting with the business owners regarding the paid parking.