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Old 02-21-2011, 10:13 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
2,101 posts, read 4,528,260 times
Reputation: 2738

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The City of Austin just recently released results from a survey they conducted on parking in Downtown, and it looks like City of Austin Transportation Department is recommending that metered parking be extended to Saturdays and midnight on weeknights.

Here's the link: City of Austin - City of Austin Transportation Planning
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Old 02-21-2011, 10:56 AM
 
37,315 posts, read 59,888,047 times
Reputation: 25341
I don't know about Austin except that people like to do downtown for 6th street area--
that is just going to cause all kinds of problems for the merchants doing business there

the city probably needs additional income and that seems to be a "free" source--the meters are there--all that is necessary is a meter clerk to write tickets for people who don't pay or the cops assisgned to that area to watch for the red flags and even MORE money in fines would come into the till...

Just wrong--
they are going to drive people away

FTW has done away with charges on meters for parking after 6 during the week and weekends--
the Sundance Sq area in downtown FTW has benefitted IMMESURABLE from having access to restaurants and other retail venues...
it is alive with people who stay after work or who come in from the suburbs to enjoy themselves...
take away that free parking and lot of those people are going someplace else...
I know we would reconsider...

shooting yourself in the foot in you do that...
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Old 02-21-2011, 11:35 AM
 
10,130 posts, read 19,884,175 times
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Parking at the meter will still be a lot cheaper than any of the paid-parking areas or garages. Especially if you are just going downtown for dinner or something.

The meters in DT Houston have been active at night for years. I don't think it will be much of a big deal. However, they claim that some significant percentage of nighttime DT traffic in Austin is caused by people driving around looking for free parking; I don't think they are going to change that, since the meters will still be the cheapest (and often closest) parking.
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Old 02-21-2011, 12:13 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
16,787 posts, read 49,079,250 times
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It is the inevitable result of revitalizing downtown. More people translates into more competition for the resources that are there, and more mess that has to be cleaned up, more maintenance of the streets and sidewalks. I see nothing wrong at all with charging the people who are visiting downtown for some of the cost of services there. I already prefer to pay to park in one of the many garages that are available when I visit downtown. If I can afford to pay for dinner, drinks and a show, I certainly can afford to spend a little on parking too. It is not going to deter many people from visiting downtown. And if they are that hard up for funds, then they probably shouldn't be spending their money on clubs, booze and shows anyway.
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Old 02-21-2011, 01:03 PM
 
2,185 posts, read 6,435,582 times
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Stupid idea!
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Old 02-21-2011, 02:43 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
2,101 posts, read 4,528,260 times
Reputation: 2738
If the city does end up charging for Downtown parking on weeknights and Saturdays, I would like to see a concerted effort to give Downtown better mass transportation options. Wasn't there some talk of extending the metro rail hours to Friday evenings and Saturdays?

Also, the practice of downtown businesses buying up street parking for valet service has gotten really out of hand. I guess the city makes more money this way than through street parking, so maybe that's why so much street parking has been gobbled up this way.

One other thing I haven't heard anyone mention is the predicament of people who work Downtown at night and on weekends. What are bartenders, waiters, and musicians supposed to do for parking? Musicians especially need convenient parking for loading and unloading equipment.
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Old 02-21-2011, 04:38 PM
 
58 posts, read 135,479 times
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The metro rail is doing the trial weekends. Hopefully, it will catch on. I would take the rail to the DT area just to avoid the parking situation.
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Old 02-21-2011, 05:11 PM
 
2,185 posts, read 6,435,582 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milytaylor View Post
The metro rail is doing the trial weekends. Hopefully, it will catch on. I would take the rail to the DT area just to avoid the parking situation.
But what about those of us that live 10 minutes from the city? We don't ride the rail.
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Old 02-21-2011, 05:20 PM
 
58 posts, read 135,479 times
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llkltk - Parking would be easier for you because others would be taking the rail. ;D
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Old 02-21-2011, 06:55 PM
 
2,185 posts, read 6,435,582 times
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Not easier if it costs money.
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