Some aren't convinced that parking is an issue. It may come down to paying for a spot or walking a few blocks that is the real issue.

There
has been some recent debate about whether there is really a shortage of parking
in downtown Mobile AL or not. As the
debate goes some believe that the problem is not a matter of if there is enough
parking downtown, but where that parking is and whether people are willing to
walk the rest of the way to get to where they want to go. The Downtown Business Alliance stated that
there is enough parking for those that work downtown, though some of the
shoppers may have to pay a parking meter to do their errands. ‘Advocates’ of there being sufficient parking
point out that complaints arise due to individuals having to either walk a few
blocks or pay to park.

However,
some areas such as the location bordered by Water, Conception, St. Louis and
Government streets are in need of some more parking room, despite it being the
least flexible to tack on a parking garage. Some of the hotels downtown have given the problem somewhat of a
resolution; for example, the Hampton Inn & Suites hotel has compromised to
solve their parking problems by having their lot available at night for their
guests and available to the public during the day. This seems to be working somewhat to
alleviate the parking crunch.

But
as the Press-Register online indicates, free parking downtown is a thing of the
past.

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