Paid parking on Singer Island, which has been free for the past few months, is set to return to a paid system starting Aug. 3. Signs are now all over the area warning visitors that paid parking, which was paused in June, will resume.
Local Reaction
Locals are concerned about the decision, with some saying it may deter them from visiting the area. “It kind of took me by storm,” said Jakorey Dunbar, a manager at Castaways Sports Bar and Grill on Singer Island. “It’s caused slight concern. I don’t want to say trouble, but it’s just the locals are like, ‘We’ve been parking here, we’ve been coming here, so what is this?'”
Riviera Beach Mayor Douglas Lawson said the city believes the issues that led to the pause in paid parking have been resolved and that paid parking is being reinstated as a way to generate revenue. However, not everyone is happy about the decision. “I think it’s ridiculous,” said Maggie Berry of West Palm Beach. “I wouldn’t want to come to this beach if I had to pay for it,” said Dillan Murphy, also of West Palm Beach.
A special meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, to discuss the paid parking plan. The outcome of that meeting will determine whether the fees will officially return on Aug. 3.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
