Still a few kinks, but challenges on all sides 

Parking is always a challenge on every side. Our intention is to make sure there are enough parking spaces for our tenants’ customers and of course, our tenants. We are very sorry for the confusion about the billing and the penalties, and we are in the process of getting more signage so there is no confusion that these are not City-owned lots and that they are not prepaid train parking.

The reason we do not post the amounts is that we are still making adjustments so that pricing is competitive, and we also plan to provide free parking from time to time, for instance on Noel Night.

I have reached out to Vanguard directly and forwarded the email you received from Ms. Gentry asking them to look into the complaint. It can be difficult to find the particular incident without a plate number or a ticket number. I am deeply disappointed to hear that the customer service department may have been “hostile” and “childish.” 

We really do understand the frustration of people but these have always been privately owned lots. The lot on the corner (of Main Avenue and Fifth Street) has been a paid lot since I can remember. Payments were made a block away at The General Palmer. I felt it was too much to ask people to walk so far, so I put a parking kiosk in place for people to pay as well as a large sign at the entrance. The parking lot behind Gaslight and Relove, which Jackson & Jackson also owns, has been a paid lot with signage and a parking kiosk for nearly a decade.

However, very few people actually paid in either lot. I cannot tell you how many people have complained saying, “I’ve been parking here free for 20 years” and one who said, “ I’ve been parking here for 45 years” and so on, essentially admitting to bypassing the kiosks altogether.

Signs have been up as long as the lots have been paid lots, and we have lost quite a bit of revenue due to people simply ignoring the signs. I myself have sat and watched as people park and take off up Main Avenue, often in apparent work clothes. 

We have had attendants addressing people as they come in the lots on special occasions, such as during parades and Snowdown, and people have yelled at them and cursed at them. One driver ran over an attendant’s foot. Another parked, walked back to the attendant and pushed him threatening to “kick his a**!”

We are not going to allow our very fine employees to be accosted, berated and put in harm’s way because some people feel entitled or do not understand that times change. I have been here 50 years and remember seeing horses on main street. There were actually ties for horses. Times change, which can be difficult.

Parking lots are not free space. There is a financial reality to keeping a parking lot. We did not want to go to the extreme action of towing cars or even booting them. It’s awful to come out to find your car gone or in a boot. 

The businesses in which customers stay for extended periods of time such as the theatre and the restaurant behind the theatre can validate for their customers.

We are doing our best to work out the kinks, and as I said in the beginning, it is a challenge on every side. 

I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to share our side of this.

– Amy Jackson, spokesperson, Jackson & Jackson LLC, Durango