SANDPOINT — Upcoming parking changes were the focus of a meeting between local business owners and representatives and city officials Tuesday at the Marigold Bistro. Attendees asked questions and raised concerns about the plan, which took effect July 1. 

Planning and community development director Jason Welker said the goal for the downtown parking plan is to make it easier for customers to access businesses. 

During the one-hour meeting, Welker answered questions, including concerns about employee parking, when it is appropriate to park overnight and reasonings for the different downtown permits offered. 

The guiding principle of the new parking system is "locals first," as it intends to improve access to downtown areas, increase parking turnover in convenient downtown street spaces and make it easier for residents and visitors to find available parking in high-demand areas, according to the city's website. 

However, with public pushback on paid parking, several business owners are worried about what the program might mean for their businesses. 

One attendee raised concerns about the growing narrative that locals are planning to boycott downtown businesses and asked whether the city planned to address residents' frustration about parking to prevent small businesses from bearing the consequences. 

Welker said he believed that more convenient parking on First and Second avenues will encourage people to shop and spend time in town. 

He added a personal experience to bolster his belief, sharing that when he was going to meet his family for lunch last Friday, he almost said no because he didn’t want to go through the hassle of finding parking on First Avenue. 

"Then I realized, 'maybe the kiosks will help in this situation because I'd be more likely to find parking close to Thai Ngiri if people have that incentive to know how long they've been parked for," Welker said. 

Another question Welker addressed was the possibility of the city building a parking structure. 

Welker said a parking structure could be in the city's future and would double the number of parking spaces in the city's parking lot, but "$15 million is the minimum to build a 250-vehicle parking structure these days." 

"This is part of demonstrating that there's a willingness to pay among visitors and locals so that in the future, when we face real parking constraints in that downtown core, we can go get a bond, we can find a private partner, something like that," Welker said of the parking plan. 

The plan was adopted in June 2025 after city officials recognized that the most convenient parking spaces fill during peak periods while other nearby spaces may remain available, according to the city's website.

Residents have since vocalized their concerns, questions and suggestions.

Cedar Street Bridge property manager Stacey Mueller said she came to the meeting to understand the issue so she can promote accuracy and answer employee questions, emphasizing that many business owners are united in encouraging locals to continue coming downtown.

"All the businesses downtown need the local support," said Mueller. "That's super important."