Pay to park in Seaside?

I guess you saw my tweet this morning.

School seems to have started back across most of the country and parking is easy everywhere in SoWal.

I guess you saw my tweet this morning.

School seems to have started back across most of the country and parking is easy everywhere in SoWal.

Oh, no actually, I don't follow you on Twitter because I rarely use it. I got the info from a person who works in the area. I moved from Sowal to PC recently so I don't know how things are looking.

Also appears my post was before your tweet....oHHHHH BREAKING NEWS! haha

lol

I think it is a horrible idea now that the summer season is over because this will deter locals from going to Seaside. Might have been a good idea at the height of the summer season, but this is going to kill the businesses at Seaside. I have children at the school and they have given us a pass that says "Pass Through Only" meaning that we are allowed to pick up our children, but not to park. This will greatly deter local families from stopping at Seaside after school for a snack at Modica's, a quick trip to SunDog's for a book, and other shopping. We have been stopping at Seaside after school for years! I also have a 16 yr. old daughter who works in Seaside and this is going to add 30 minutes to her 10 min. drive to work. So said to see this.

Will be interesting to see what initiates the collapse of this scheme first-the irrate homeowners having people park on their 'private' streets or the traffic snarl on the Chas. Modica Hospitality Hwy. New Urbanists might review what happened to old urbanist business when parking became a tolled luxury.

I think it is a horrible idea now that the summer season is over because this will deter locals from going to Seaside. Might have been a good idea at the height of the summer season, but this is going to kill the businesses at Seaside. I have children at the school and they have given us a pass that says "Pass Through Only" meaning that we are allowed to pick up our children, but not to park. This will greatly deter local families from stopping at Seaside after school for a snack at Modica's, a quick trip to SunDog's for a book, and other shopping. We have been stopping at Seaside after school for years! I also have a 16 yr. old daughter who works in Seaside and this is going to add 30 minutes to her 10 min. drive to work. So said to see this.

Thank you for pointing this out. I really didn't think about the fact that it is now the END of the peak season and there really isn't much traffic to speak of down there in the off season.

Doesn't seem logical to start now only when businesses thrive off of locals for the off season when locals have plenty of other places they can go that won't charge for parking. I'm wondering if this is just temporary for the remainder of the busy August/September end of summer crowd or if this is just going to be the norm from now on.

I volunteer at The REP quite a bit and would hate to be charged for parking when I am coming to GIVE my time to an organization that brings quite a bit to the Seaside community. Pretty A$$ backwards if I do say so myself.

Kurt, since I beat you to the punch this morning I will at least follow you to make up for it.

Just confirmed with an employee in Ruskin that plan is in effect. She paid the $5

Thanks, I saw the valet parking signs and roped off parking around the amphitheater this morning and wondered what was going on.

I already avoid Seaside events and frequent their businesses less due to the parking issues and higher prices. Making me pay more money and requiring me to give my car keys to a stranger is not a solution.

They need to come up with a better plan.

Relax, parking is only $2.50 with your Tarpon Club card. What more can we locals ask for?!

do golf carts park free?

I think it is a horrible idea now that the summer season is over because this will deter locals from going to Seaside. Might have been a good idea at the height of the summer season, but this is going to kill the businesses at Seaside. I have children at the school and they have given us a pass that says "Pass Through Only" meaning that we are allowed to pick up our children, but not to park. This will greatly deter local families from stopping at Seaside after school for a snack at Modica's, a quick trip to SunDog's for a book, and other shopping. We have been stopping at Seaside after school for years! I also have a 16 yr. old daughter who works in Seaside and this is going to add 30 minutes to her 10 min. drive to work. So said to see this.

Camp Creek Kid - very well stated. So much for dropping in for a quick coffee, lunch or shopping on a regular basis.

I had to check the date to make sure this wasn't an April Fool's joke.

this is being done to control crowded parking? i think the more likely outcome is to "control" people shopping there. I would never consider paid parking to shop.

Bike or walk for me from now on---but, not happy about this move which seems more about money than control.

Are there any attempts to address the root problems?

Any plans to provide public transportation or shuttles from other parking?

Is there a discount for cars with 3 or more people to encourage carpooling?

Any price breaks to encourage fly-in visitors to take a taxi from the airport instead of a rental car?

Are there any attempts to address the root problems?

Any plans to provide public transportation or shuttles from other parking?

Is there a discount for cars with 3 or more people to encourage carpooling?

Any price breaks to encourage fly-in visitors to take a taxi from the airport instead of a rental car?

Are there really that many fly-in visitors staying on 30A? It always seems people who fly in stay in more full service resort-like areas or hotels (in Destin and PCB)- places where they can just show up with a suitcase. There is no way the typical 30A vacationer could get the contents of an SUV on a plane. That is funny.

I just received word that there is a max of 10-15 cars or so in Central Square. Inside scoop is also that the valets aren't the brightest, leave their post often and lots of cars are sneaking by on Smolian. This is kinda a bummer for all the wonderful businesses in Seaside that people may not frequent as often due to the parking fee. Hopefully someone raises hell.

My husband and I are flying down next Saturday for a much anticipated 9 day stay in Seagrove. This is our first trip down in 3 years without our children and grandchildren. We always stay on the beach side of 30A, but spend lots of time in Seaside...often making multiple trips in a day to have breakfast, return to our condo/beach, then back to Seaside for dinner/shopping. Paying $5 for each trip seems quite over the top and will definitely deter us from as many trips we normally make to spend our money at shops, restaurants, etc. Very disappointing! Reminds me of when we encountered the huge "Private Beach for Seaside Guests Only" signs a few years back!

Drove by a few minutes ago. Ten or 15 cars is about right, and much less foot traffic than normal.
I used to pop into Modica frequently and Dawson's once and a while, etc. No more.
Will it be $5 parking for the farmer's market too??
FYI - the TDC parking lot between Seaside and WaterColor is nearly full. Guess the TDC bought Seaside an overflow parking lot.

I wonder how the merchants of Seaside feel about this. Personally, I detest valet parking and paying to park, and there's no way I will pay to go shop or to eat out around here. There are too many other fantastic restaurants and shops in the area to choose from where I can pay $5 less for dinner, not hand strangers my keys, not worry about what I left in the car while i'm there, etc, etc, etc.

How might this affect the surrounding areas? You know people will park in front of the shops of Watercolor or in the Watercolor and Seagrove (AND Seaside) neighborhoods and walk in to Seaside to avoid valet... I am finding it very hard to believe they are trying this out as an option. I think the employee shuttle is a good solution to help ease parking woes, but cutting down on 'traffic' by charging to park? (And granted, I don't know if the idea is to help traffic issues, or WHAT the purpose of this was) If it's to ease traffic, well, less traffic equals less customers, doesn't it? How does this help the merchants of Seaside? As a local, I will never pay to park in Seaside. I doubt I'm the only one.

You are not alone! You have to wonder who the rocket scientist was that came up with this idea - Sounds like a good opportunity for one of our newly elected commissioners to address this issue? You also have to wonder if "Seaside" is a private community? If so, who would write the ticket if someone parked in a handicapped spot? The Sheriffs Department or does Seaside now have a private police force? WTF over!!

We love Seaside. Our girls love playing while we grab a coffee. But, we won't pay to park. Looks like we will be walking or going to Alys for coffee and playtime! I sure hope it's not like this during the off season- it's a lose lose for locals an businesses!

You are not alone! You have to wonder who the rocket scientist was that came up with this idea - Sounds like a good opportunity for one of our newly elected commissioners to address this issue? You also have to wonder if "Seaside" is a private community? If so, who would write the ticket if someone parked in a handicapped spot? The Sheriffs Department or does Seaside now have a private police force? WTF over!!

I doubt the BCC has any sway in this, as it is a private community. However, the havoc it could cause on 30A would be an interesting argument.

I just heard from a reliable source that this is a test for Labor Day and yard sale day.

As a local, I can assure you that unless I can find a free convenient parking spot, Seaside Restaurants won't be getting my business. I won't pay for Valet parking in their quest for greed....

Just heard from a Seaside Merchant that an irate customer came in complaining about getting a $150 ticket for parking in Seaside. (Did not hear where she was parked) She said this is the last time they will be coming to the town. Niiiiiiice job, Seaside!