Would you pay for convenience to park in downtown Franklin?

FRANKLIN — Tired of looking for a parking spot? If convenience is important, visitors can now pay to park in downtown Franklin.

Keith Moorman is starting the first three paid lots at the end of the month. Moorman, who owns several Nashville parking lots through his business Park Happy, said he was tired of circling Main Street looking for a spot in front of a store or in the Fourth Avenue garage when he came to Franklin.

While the majority of downtown Franklin parking will remain free, visitors can now have the option to pay to park in his three lots, with rates fluctuating between $2 to $10, depending on the amount of time and the time of day.

Moorman said his three lots should go online by the end of July and he is discussing the possibility of others with lot owners along Main Street.

Moorman’s lots will open at  Generations Church on Fourth Avenue; John Green Insurance on Fourth Avenue; and Shuff's Music and Piano Showroom on Third Avenue.

Installation for the paid parking has started, and it will continue throughout the remainder of the month.

"The more Nashville grows the more Franklin grows. The idea has always been start slow, and gain some introductions to meet people. I have spent most of the last year doing that," Moorman said, sitting in an office on Fourth Avenue.

The City of Franklin is studying the parking situation block by block, evaluating the turnover rate for its all free spaces – which have time limits that vary from 20 minutes to all day – and looking into future growth. Visitors can park for free in garages on Second and Fourth Avenue and along downtown streets.

"One of the sensitive issues is always finding a way to share space," Moorman said. "I think everyone knows that if there is more turnover, half the problems would be solved."

What do downtown merchants think?

Main Street program director Kristy Williams said parking is going to remain a priority.

As a part of her job, she helps with the Downtown Franklin Association, an organization of the downtown business owners.

"Do I think there are people worried about parking? Yes," she said. "…In part, it’s because people want to park in front and really close. I check the Second Avenue parking garage a lot, and it’s an awareness issue because people don't always check for spaces there. It’s like walking from the back of the parking lot to get your milk at the back of the store. We all want the best space for our quick errand, and those are limited."

The city has nearly 1,400 spaces, with almost 1,170 used during peak hours, according to the downtown parking study conducted by Volkert Engineering.

A new garage is planned for the Harpeth Square multi-use development. The study indicates more parking is going to have to become more available as more businesses are planned for the downtown corridor. Volkvert’s full study and recommendations are expected by the end of the year.

Reach Emily West at erwest@tennessean.com; at 615-613-1380; or on Twitter at @emwest22.