Go to Free Parking

The city has created a handful of free parking spaces in the Main Street garage, hoping it increases traffic for visitors and businesses.

One of the hopes is that the free parking lures drivers who previously would troll for a parking meter or double park if they were stopping downtown. The unfortunate reality is that the parking garage is on the edge of downtown, and isn't convenient for many downtown visitors. Particularly when there are usually street meter spots available.

If nothing else, this move further validates the general emptiness of the garage on a daily basis. Someday, when there are hundreds of people living downtown and they are hosting weekend visitors, and the commuter rail is fast and comfortable and hundreds of people are taking the train to Boston to work everyday (hey, you gotta have a vision, right?), the garage will be full. But for now, it's pretty empty on a daily basis.

Our last thought on the garage today: Apparently, some people found the ticket system to pay for a parking spot too difficult and inconvenient. Really? The whole process takes about 90 seconds, and that includes walking to and from the machine. Use your debit card, and it takes even less time. The ticket system is beyond fine. It's practical and time-saving (no waiting in line to get tickets coming in or paying coming out). We've used it dozens of times and have never had a problem. We just can't consider that a viable compliant.

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New feature: Over on the right, where we keep links and other goodies is a new poll section. Our first question is inspired by a comment yesterday, where someone ventured perhaps a casino would be a good replacement for the airport.

That got us thinking, should Fitchburg support a casino plan? Could that be the big-time economic engine the city needs to turn things around? A report by the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston completed last year discusses the local impacts of a casino, if you want some research on the topic.

The question is a simple "yes" or "no" on supporting a casino. We're in favor of at least investigating it. Certainly, it would be a tough sell for the state, but it may be the bold idea Fitchburg needs to turn things around.