Expanding permit parking in L'ville (Oakland: bus, land, transit)

[theta_sigma]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I used to live like a block from Mr. Spam, and I would have been all for permit parking. When I first moved there in 2007, there was limited issues with parking, but it became worse over time, to the point where parking within two blocks of my home became difficult.

The lack of permit parking really exacerbated the parking issue, in part because all of the other residential portions of Lawrenceville had permit parking. So when people came to Lawrenceville in the evening to socialize, they chose to park there. Worse, I know people used the area as a "park and ride" during the day - parking their car in the neighborhood and taking the 91 into town.

I do think the City needs to streamline its permit parking system however. There is no real need for more than one permit zone per neighborhood.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the City and/or PAT really needs to get a better grip on Park and Ride. Our transit system is not extensive enough to assume that every single person who lives in the city limits can walk to a bus stop that will get them where they need to go. Park and Ride is a thing. It will never stop being a thing. The fact that the only official Park and Ride lots are outside the city limits means that people in town who need to get to work/school but don't live anywhere near a bus that will accomplish that are going to park in some neighborhood somewhere and then get on the bus. Yes, bikes, yes taking a long long walk but let's be real. Pittsburgh has weather and hills. Not everyone is a 4-season cycle warrior. Some people are older, infirm, have babies, etc... So, sorry for parking in yinz neighborhoods* in the, like, 2 blocks that isn't already permitted and metered at $2+/hour, but needs must. I promise to honor your parking chairs.

*Though usually not Lawrenceville.

[that412]

Originally Posted by ProFiction

Oh, gross. Just got that in the mail today too. Aside from the ATROCIOUS grammar and spelling issues, what terrible news. I sometimes have to park up to 4 blocks away on weekends AND a bunch of spots were recently permanently removed from my block and I still have no interest in paying for a permit.

Let's keep some perspective here, it's $20 a year.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by that412

Let's keep some perspective here, it's $20 a year.

What does that $$$ get used for?

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by that412

Let's keep some perspective here, it's $20 a year.

+ not being able to have many visitors over as they'll get ticketed be p*ssed for coming

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by UKyank

+ not being able to have many visitors over as they'll get ticketed be p*ssed for coming

Sounds like the plan. More $$$ for permits...and more $$$ from tix should discourage enough people from visiting...and don't worry about the businesses getting patronized.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Sounds like the plan. More $$$ for permits...and more $$$ from tix should discourage enough people from visiting...and don't worry about the businesses getting patronized.

Anyone who won't patronize a business over pay parking in a city is pretty lazy, IMO. My favorite time of year is holiday shopping season, when I watch the soccer moms in Range Rovers cruising around the neighborhood looking for free parking in their $80k+ vehicle.

The bigger issue is actually finding parking at all. The city needs to address both Larrwnceville and the South Side by adding garages. Permitted parking for residents coupled with garage parking for visitors would be most ideal.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

Anyone who won't patronize a business over pay parking in a city is pretty lazy, IMO. My favorite time of year is holiday shopping season, when I watch the soccer moms in Range Rovers cruising around the neighborhood looking for free parking in their $80k+ vehicle.

The bigger issue is actually finding parking at all. The city needs to address both Larrwnceville and the South Side by adding garages. Permitted parking for residents coupled with garage parking for visitors would be most ideal.

If your favorite time of the year is watching people in Range Rover's looking for free parking, that's pretty depressing.

Yeah, I never said or insinuated anything about paying to park. I responded to Ukyank about less visitors coming to visit due to them getting tix. Zero to do with free parking.

Now you're getting it. With less/no parking at all, less people are going to patronize those businesses.

[ProFiction]

Originally Posted by that412

Let's keep some perspective here, it's $20 a year.

Sure, it's $20 that will still mean that people will park on my block while they spend 'an hour' at a restaurant on Butler Street. I won't see any value from that money, so I'm not interested in paying it. It doesn't appear that it will help anyone, to be honest.

And as others have said, if my block (which is right off Butler Street) becomes permit parking, then where are people supposed to park to patronize Butler Street businesses? This is my constant frustration with South Side - I'd gladly pay to park but there isn't anywhere to do that. Those lots are always full. So how will a place with even less paid parking handle a reduction in free spaces?

It's really a lose-lose.

[UKyank]

It doesn't help that the same brain trust puts limited hour (2 hour) parking restrictions on meters to further exacerbate the situation for merchants.

[erieguy]

New at 5:45: what pittsburgh is doing with an extra $10m in cash and how it benefits you next! - scoopnest.com

Didn't catch the story but an extra $10m is a whole lotta parking $$$.