Atlanta Looks For Solutions To City’s Parking Lot Deserts (Smyrna: lease, insurance)

[Fubarbundy]

In the interim, maybe some tasteful xeriscaping could gussy up the parking deserts, until more density can infill trait?

[ATLTJL]

I'm still unclear:

Are we talking about making parking a huge hassle and pretty much impossible to find, or are we talking about having parking available and just asking people to pay for it?

I really think that unless we define these issues separately, the discussion is going to just go in circles.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

I'm still unclear:

Are we talking about making parking a huge hassle and pretty much impossible to find, or are we talking about having parking available and just asking people to pay for it?

I really think that unless we define these issues separately, the discussion is going to just go in circles.

True. I don't carry cash, typically, so valet parking that requires cash up front is a no go unless I know about it beforehand. Otherwise, I don't really care about on-premise parking so much as long as it's $5 or less. Not including tip.

If I have to park a few blocks away and walk, then it depends on the restaurant again. It has to be some unique quality to keep my interest.

Even on premise parking isn't enough sometimes. Orient Express in Vinings is a place I love, but it's a pain to get into the free parking lot, and the lot is small. Because if this, I either go during off hours or I don't go.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us View Post
They have to get people to give up their cars first. Otherwise they just take up parking somewhere else.

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Or people don't use their car in the first place because there's no free parking?

I was commenting on the need for parking at apartments downtown. Very few people are willing to take the leap and go car free, but there are a decent number of people who will park their car at their residence and rarely use it.

Paid parking at their destination is definitely a good way to nudge them to leave the car at home.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us

I was commenting on the need for parking at apartments downtown. Very few people are willing to take the leap and go car free, but there are a decent number of people who will park their car at their residence and rarely use it.

Paid parking at their destination is definitely a good way to nudge them to leave the car at home.

Well, we can start by reducing the number of spaces for these apartments. If you had one spot per apartment, with a set number of visitor spots, then you could drastically reduce the size of your deck. Heck, you could add more units or amenities in that newly gained space.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

True. I don't carry cash, typically, so valet parking that requires cash up front is a no go unless I know about it beforehand. Otherwise, I don't really care about on-premise parking so much as long as it's $5 or less. Not including tip.

If I have to park a few blocks away and walk, then it depends on the restaurant again. It has to be some unique quality to keep my interest.

Even on premise parking isn't enough sometimes. Orient Express in Vinings is a place I love, but it's a pain to get into the free parking lot, and the lot is small. Because if this, I either go during off hours or I don't go.

Bacchanalia is moving because the parking was a hassle at their current spot. And that's a very high end spot.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Nah. I will simply stop going to those places which make it more difficult for me to give them my business.

If I have to make an effort, it better be worth my while. If it's just another place, and parking is a hassle, I'm moving on to other destinations... My $$, my choice.

We don't go to the places in Virginia Highlands. Just too much of a hassle to park. None THAT good. And you never know if your car will get broken into when you are parked while at dinner or a store.

[jsvh]

See, you miss out on a lot of things when you are stuck in a car and expect free parking. Going car-free for some trips or all together makes life more enjoyable.

[toll_booth]

The suburbs are a fine place to go out to eat, if you don't mind the "vanilla" options of Applebee's, the Olive Garden, and Ruby Tuesday.

But if you want more flair, you probably have to come into town. Which a lot of other people would like to do. Thus creating more demand for the limited parking that is available. Thus the price of parking can go up. Econ 101 right there.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

The suburbs are a fine place to go out to eat, if you don't mind the "vanilla" options of Applebee's, the Olive Garden, and Ruby Tuesday.

But if you want more flair, you probably have to come into town.

That's a generality that isn't really true. Today I ate at a non-chain, unique joint in suburban Smyrna, called Taco Cantina- and it was AMAZING. Better than anything I've had recently, anywhere in-town.

(Off topic, sorry.)