tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560298879009344276.post3377665240481907950..comments2008-05-12T00:10:57.860-04:00Brad Rourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03637041243201131401noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560298879009344276.post-83444633593426266272008-05-12T00:10:00.000-04:002008-05-12T00:10:00.000-04:002008-05-12T00:10:00.000-04:00As much as I support the notion of free parking for the library, I also think it is unrealistic to expect it in an urban environment. While the new Rockville Town Square may not be what most consider urban, the fact is you can't do anything or go anywhere there without paying for parking. I mentioned to several council members it would be a matter of time before the county backed out of this deal, given the fact there was no system to make sure people getting free parking were in fact using the library. Everytime I used the library I witnessed several people getting validation for two free hours, walk into the library and immediately walk out and enter a restaurant or shop. <BR/>The big loser here will be the shop and restaurant owners in the center. People needing use of a library can drive to any one of the 20 or so others in the county, park for free and conduct their business. Those people not using the Rockville library will also not be visiting any of the other amenities in Town Square. I do hope there is more public outcry and the county holds a public hearing.Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347978310036315345noreply@blogger.com