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Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

washingtonpost.com

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Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#71

Post by wmil »

aluhut wrote: post #58

Wouldn't that just cause the clients that came by car (because of distance, health, whatever) to go somewhere else because there is no parking space? It looks to me like just another gentrification result. The new hip clients never needed those parking spots.

The problem with parking spots is that with single occupancy vehicles you're allocating 170 sq feet per customer for a few dollars. That's a terrible deal given real estate prices downtown.

Also very few people are going to drive a significant distance for tacos or ice cream.

These shops only cater to foot traffic.

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#72

Post by abandonliberty »

moron4hire wrote: post #26
abandonliberty wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's arguably a false dilemma caused by our transportation infrastructure. In terms of waste - if we did the math, I'm pretty sure we would find curbside parking a very poor use of real estate in high rent areas.

I agree that curbside parking is stupid. But Philadelphians refuse to allow new parking garages to be built. Curbside parking is often the only parking that is available, and any attempts to make other parking become rallying cries in political campaigns thanks to NIMBYism.

I see your point. An example in my city is free or exceptionally cheap parking for neighborhood residents only - even though we all pay the same taxes. This is one situation where regulation and a 'loud minority' appears to be less equitable than a free market.

On the bright side, I hear your weather is pretty good.

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#73

Post by metaphorm »

chc wrote: post #6

It seems like roughly the same goal could have been achieved by condemning a comic book store and turning the space into a park. Is there anything to this article that isn't just the observation "People like to go where parks are" repurposed into anti-car propaganda?

why are you so eager to defend cars and car-culture?

cars are the single most dangerous thing in the daily lives of most Americans. they are rolling manslaughter engines. they are destroying the environment, leading us inexplorably down a path of global climate destruction and natural resource exhaustion. they have been undermining good public transportation infrastructure investment for decades. they are destructive of communities, encouraging sprawl and long distance commuting.

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#74

Post by chc »

metaphorm wrote: post #73
chc wrote: post #6

It seems like roughly the same goal could have been achieved by condemning a comic book store and turning the space into a park. Is there anything to this article that isn't just the observation "People like to go where parks are" repurposed into anti-car propaganda?

why are you so eager to defend cars and car-culture? cars are the single most dangerous thing in the daily lives of most Americans. they are rolling manslaughter engines. they are destroying the environment, leading us inexplorably down a path of global climate destruction and natural resource exhaustion. they have been undermining good public transportation infrastructure investment for decades. they are destructive…

I don't particularly like cars. If I never had to drive again, I'd be ecstatic. But there isn't much of a choice there. I either have to drive or become a hermit, and that is an even less attractive option. What I guess you'd say I'm defensive of is my ability to lead a normal life.

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#75

Post by mzs »

geebee wrote: post #9

On a closely related note, I read a very interesting piece about "curb cuts" in San Francisco. http://www.spur.org/publications/article/2008-06-01/eye-stre... The image showing the difference between Park Slope (without curb cuts) and a stretch of Dolores street in San Francisco (with curb cuts) is really eye-opening. It's a bummer, because a lot of SF really is small and walkable, but you know, we really do spend a…

This is funny to me cause I came from different background where parking on sidewalk or partially on sidewalk is very common, and there are no cut-outs in the curb. I think your POV is very American, and that is fine. Here are some examples of parking signs, in Poland you will get a ticket for example if you do not park diagonally with at least one tire over the curb when there is a parking sign indicating you must park like so even if your car is a supermini that would fit lengthwise and you wish to save your tire.

http://jamron.org/2013/05/13/polish-parking-signs/

http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/zeichen2.shtml

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#76

Post by toomuchtodo »

Kalium wrote: post #53
bronson wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which incumbents do you mean? The millionaires or the people being displaced?

Neither, because policy has largely been written to favor those who already live on or own a given patch of dirt. Most of SF is neither millionaires nor being displaced.

"Peninsula Lords"

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#77

Post by toomuchtodo »

T-hawk wrote: post #34
saosebastiao wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is possible to have enough parking spots. It is impossible to have enough free parking spots.

A counterexample: Las Vegas. All the casinos on the Strip have big parking garages that are free and don't fill up. Perhaps it's possible only when the margins of a business are as spectacularly high as those of Vegas casinos, so that the parking facility as a loss leader is still net profitable overall. There's also the invisible hand of capitalism, as casinos compete in the market of convenience: a casino without s…

> Perhaps it's possible only when the margins of a business are as spectacularly high as those of Vegas casinos, so that the parking facility as a loss leader is still net profitable overall. There's also the invisible hand of capitalism, as casinos compete in the market of convenience: a casino without such a facility will lose market share to those that do.

Or land is so cheap because you're in the middle of nowhere.

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#78

Post by kansface »

sliverstorm wrote: post #19
geebee wrote: post #9

On a closely related note, I read a very interesting piece about "curb cuts" in San Francisco. http://www.spur.org/publications/article/2008-06-01/eye-stre... The image showing the difference between Park Slope (without curb cuts) and a stretch of Dolores street in San Francisco (with curb cuts) is really eye-opening. It's a bummer, because a lot of SF really is small and walkable, but you know, we really do spend a…

Has SF ever been considered or even wanted to be considered a kid/family-friendly place? Watching from the sidelines, it's never seemed like a priority.

This is basically impossible for two reasons:

1. The city is too expensive for a family. Practically no one can afford a 3 bedroom house or apartment (or one that will allow pets). Even if you can afford a house in the school district you want, it won't matter because ...

2. Living in a school district is not a guarantee for enrollment in that district. Your kids may be shipped on an hour long bus ride one way to a comparatively bad school across town. Your kids may be sent in opposite directions to different schools. Some changes recently may have improved the situation, if only slightly. All in the name of equality.

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#79

Post by Kluny »

chc wrote: post #74
metaphorm wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

why are you so eager to defend cars and car-culture? cars are the single most dangerous thing in the daily lives of most Americans. they are rolling manslaughter engines. they are destroying the environment, leading us inexplorably down a path of global climate destruction and natural resource exhaustion. they have been undermining good public transportation infrastructure investment for decades. they are destructive…

I don't particularly like cars. If I never had to drive again, I'd be ecstatic. But there isn't much of a choice there. I either have to drive or become a hermit, and that is an even less attractive option. What I guess you'd say I'm defensive of is my ability to lead a normal life.

There's lots of choices. Bikes, walkind, public transit and rideshare for nearby travel. Planes, trains and buses and boats for far travel. The only restriction in the relatively small percentage of the earth that's so crowded that there isn't an extra plot of land for you to leave your property on. And you're still allowed to go there - if you don't insist on bringing 2 tons of metal with you.

Re: Why parking spaces shouldn't always be wasted on cars

#80

Post by kansface »

jrells wrote: post #4

> Other research suggests that cyclists may actually spend more than drivers at some kinds of businesses because it's easier for them to pop in often and unplanned. This is probably due to a shortage of parking spots.

Roads don't support an infinite density of traffic. You can build all the parking you want in SOMA, but driving there will remain soul crushing.
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