
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 6, 1990                   TAG: 9007060634
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DOWNTOWN PARKING PROBLEM OVERLOOKED

THERE HAS been much print about the revitalization of downtown Roanoke. It is strange that the No. 1 drawback of downtown is seldom discussed. That problem is parking.

In the surrounding area, there is free parking at shopping centers, at your place of business, the Salem Civic Center, etc., etc.

What does Roanoke offer? Meters and no-parking zones with resultant fines, parking lots and garages with exorbitant fees and door dings. I don't know of anyone who likes a parking garage. They only add to stress and frustration.

It seems that Roanoke City businessmen look at the parking situation with profit as their No. 1 priority. What a shame.

At the very least, they should provide parking for their employees. With the low rates of pay available in Roanoke, high monthly parking fees add up to a large cut in your net paycheck. The average citizen can ill afford this kind of unfair treatment.

Perhaps some thought should be given to making Roanoke more user-friendly. Only then will the city deserve to prosper.

WINSTON TEAR\ ROANOKE

by CNB