PARKING: Two hours too little

I’d like to add to the comments about the parking issues downtown. My issue is with the two-hour parking limit. I used to work in a women’s clothing shop downtown on Sherman. So many times people came in to browse, then looked at their watch and said, “Oh, we have to get back to the car before we get a ticket!” Especially tourists who are visiting Coeur d’Alene for the first time simply do not have enough time for a leisurely lunch, visit all the shops, check out The Resort and walk the boardwalk.

Even as a Coeur d’Alene resident, my husband and I often go downtown, and feel as though we are “under the gun” to get back to the car in time. The city might be gaining more money by giving parking tickets, but aren’t the merchants downtown losing money as well?

Also, it seems like the two-hour parking limit takes away from having a totally positive experience visiting our beautiful downtown if you have to leave before you want to. Sandpoint has changed their two-hour parking limit downtown to a three-hour limit. My husband and I are among the visitors who are so appreciative of that change. Can’t Coeur d’Alene consider doing the same?

JOAN DILLON

Coeur d’Alene