What's with the parking? (Santa Fe: house, bars, garage) - New Mexico (NM) -Santa Fe County - City-Data Forum

ziaAirmac · 07-18-2009, 11:09 AM

So I found myself in Santa Fe yesterday, hopping bars and catching up with friends as part of some reunion stuff. Had a great time. Paid $4 going in to park at the lot next to the Lensic since our first stop was the Coyote Cantina on Water. Coyote Cantina was nice but PACKED. Space, tables and chairs were an issue all night. More of a 2-4 out location in my book. Anyway, wander back to my car a little after midnight to find....The city lot is closed and locked. For a City that's known for tourism and entertainment, the idea of locking a public garage at midnight seems ridiculous to me. But what can you do? So I catch a ride with a buddy and crash at his place. Come by the garage in the AM to pick up my trapped car. Attendant stops me on the way out of the garage. The problem? I now owe another $8.00 for 'storing' my car overnight. The previous evening I was enjoying the cool high mountain breeze on the roof top cantina and thinking about returning to the city where I grew up. Things like the parking remind me why I left.

GreatSantaFe · 07-18-2009, 03:32 PM

Whoa, now that sucks all right!. Was there anything about the hours printed on the parking ticket? Geeze, thanks for sharing that story; it'll help the rest of us avoid a similar situation. To be honest there have been days when I'd be thankfull for an excuse to crash at a friend's house - either as a chance to get closer to someone

or to avoid doing something stupid after a night of drinking

.
ziaAirmac, don't let a little thing like that turn you off returning to SF. We need more folks like you!

WEisMD · 07-18-2009, 05:26 PM

I believe there are positive reasons for everything. Although this may seem like a "bad" situation, perhaps it was actually a blessing. After all, it was late and you just never know?!?

ziaAirmac · 07-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Well, I was thoughtful about my beverage consumption knowing I was driving home but I hear your point. Never know about the other guy, right? No problem accepting the unknown benefits of fate. I'm just saying as a former resident if I didn't know the garage closed, locked and charged you for the overnight then I imagine many tourists have the same experience. It doesn't seem to be very tourist friendly. If the bars close at midnight, would it kill you to stay open till 12:30?

Merlander · 07-20-2009, 11:40 AM

Back in the "old days", when a parking garage closed for the night, it was a chance to get your car out for free. Nowadays, they want to milk every last drop of cash out of us...

I could see extending the garage hours to collect more $$$, but a "lockdown" is just crazy [notwithstanding WEisMD's comments, as he makes a great point].

EnjoyEP · 07-20-2009, 11:52 AM

zia - I would have been fiercely annoyed if I were you so I am not trying to make light of a legitimate gripe at all, but.......look at the brightside......at least you didn't witness anyone taking a whiz on the side of the garage!!

(Sorry, your ABQ Library story still has me cracking up!)...

ziaAirmac · 07-20-2009, 01:12 PM

AAAaaooooooohhh! You got me on that one. I was asking for it!

loborick · 07-25-2009, 04:53 PM

The city is doing this to save money. They can't afford to have attendants there late nor have security patroling. So they lock the secured parking lots. The lot on Water St. stays open all night, but it is not secure. That's where I park. Just have to know the tricks.