PT's Parking Blog

Parking Lot Role Models

(Parking World writer Pete Goldin held forth on PW's blog about movies and how they degradate our industry. His followup I thought should be shared with PT readers –JVH)

In my last blog, I exposed Hollywood's character assassination of the car park, and I suggested that the movie makers present the public with some positive parking lot role models. My editor has asked me what I think this role model would be like. Here are a few of my cinematic parking visions:

- Well-lit spaces that discourage suspicious characters from lurking in the shadows.

- Open sight lines that do not leave spaces for bad guys to hide.

- CCTV and other security measures to keep patrons safe and minimize the urge to hold gun fights or kidnap unsuspecting patrons on the premises.

- Speed bumps to discourage high speed car chases.

- Practical signage and markings that allow people such as Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer to find their car in under 30 minutes.

The Supporting Cast:

- Friendly and helpful car park attendants who do not resemble zombies.

- Valets who are conscientious, and do not smash vehicles into each other and do not take joy rides in customer cars, screeching the tires as they race out of the lot.

- Security personnel in attendance, not sleeping, with attention paid to what is happening on that CCTV screen just over their shoulder.

PG

Developers, Shoup, Banks, and Catch-22

Here's a take I hadn't considered: What if banks wouldn't loan on a development if the number of parking spaces didn't meet the industry average, EVEN IF the local zoning requirements had been removed and the number wasn't required. Read all about it here

It seems developers are being caught in a Catch 22. Cities are following the lead of Shoupistas and removing parking requirements on development to assist in getting new buildings going in downtown areas. This helps in development, and certainly in attracting "sustainable" businesses into the areas. It makes sense in every way, until the developer goes to get his loan from the banks.

Here's the banker's quote:

"We're not going to make a loan without getting comfortable with the parking element and the parking strategy," explains Michael Morris, executive vice president of real estate for Zions Bank.

Other factors besides parking ratios also play a role, he says, including the overall economy and the mix of equity and debt.

Construction lenders could be "flexible" and approve transit-oriented projects, Morris says, so long as long-term lenders are content. But he predicts parking at housing units, regardless of location, likely will remain a premium.

"I don't know if public transportation or fuel efficiency or the green movement is going to change that in the near term," Morris adds, before pausing. "As a corporation, we're open-minded and will participate in the dialogue. And we'll do what makes sense."

Sure, it sounds like they can be "flexible." But just show up with a number of parking spaces that doesn't meet their requirement and see what happens.

Think about the problem with housing units – By reducing the number of required spaces, the developer can unbundle parking from the building and lower the cost for housing. People who live near their work can forgo a vehicle, and all is right with the world.

Not going to happen if banks have their way. The article goes on to say that cities and developers are in an ongoing educational process with banks but it is slow.

Just another problem in dealing with the recession, development, and financing.

JVH

What a concept

Following on to the posts below -- Andy sends in this tidbit from the Associated Press

La Crosse Police Issue "Courtesy" Parking Tickets

 La Crosse police are trying to be friendly to visitors of this western Wisconsin city during the height of fall tourism. Lt. Pat Hogan says the department is issuing visitor-friendly "courtesy" parking tickets to first-time, overtime parking violators.

Mayor Matt Harter says the city can help downtown businesses by giving first-timers a break, along with providing as much parking as possible by enforcing existing rules.

Since Oct. 4, community service employees have written 454 warnings, or about 18 a day. Of those, 306 were in downtown La Crosse.Previous violators still have to pay a $12 fine, after a $4 increase approved in March.

Well, Duh -- I have been railing about this solution for years. It solves all PR problems and follows the rules as well.

JVH

Great You Tube Parking Lot Video

Check this out

What gets me is that the driver seems so unconcerned about what just happened and simply drives away. If I had been in that SUV I would have been in shock and unable even to back off the cars I just totaled.

JVH

This is just crazy

Here's another one

This is just crazy—Dewey Beach in Delaware is concerned that their increase in parking FINES might drive people away. The logic is that higher fines mean people won't come to park there. Read about It here.

Let me attempt to parse this. I want to go to the beach. I somehow find that the fine for improper parking is $50. I guess I plan to park improperly when I start out so I decide to go somewhere where I know that parking fines are cheaper so I will have to pay less.

ARE THEY NUTS… Is there anyone on the planet who actually starts out going to the beach or anywhere on vacation for that matter making the decision based on how much they will have to pay when they get a parking ticket? Give me a friggin break.

If the fines are onerous, fine, lower them. But arguing that people don't come because they are too high…From the article it seems that there is no indication that, in fact, over the past two years there has been a reduction in people coming to Dewey Beach for any reason.

And…as correspondent Mark points out – They are concerned that the parking fines are "unfriendly." At what point does a parking ticket become "friendly?"

JVH

Another screed about “Predatory Parking Enforcement”

 

Free parking is the prime reason malls have grown so mightily over the years. Predatory parking enforcement in the downtowns might prove the death knell for a great many small merchants there unless it's checked. Parking tickets are no small things for these enterprises. It's really about time this economic threat is recognized — and acted upon.

The quote above from a columnist at the Moderate Voice blog is typical of knee jerk reaction to the reasons why malls have grown and downtowns have atrophied. Read the entire article here

Of course this is absurd. In Los Angeles, for instance, the two newest major malls in the city (The Grove and Americana at Brand) plus two major successful existing malls (Century City and Beverly Center) all charge for parking. That hasn't kept people away. They come because there is a reason to go there.

Downtown Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is hugely successful and its six parking structures charge for parking. People go to the beach, but the county charges for parking. People go see the ball game, the Hollywood bowl, Disneyland, Universal – they all charge for parking. Why are they successful? Because people want to go there.

Why do downtowns fail? Because people don't want to go there. If you want to make your downtown successful, make it so people want to go there. Santa Monica, Old Pasadena, Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Atlanta Station, South Beach in Miami, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Pikes Place Market in Seattle, they all charge dearly for parking and are extremely successful.

I love it. The writer above complains about predatory parking enforcement. I certainly agree – Set the rules so they fit the situation. Then enforce the rules. If you don't like them, fine. Call a meeting, get some facts and input, and then change them. But to stop enforcement of the rules "just cuz" is ridiculous.

JVH

Philippine parking expo

We opened the event with a grand ribbon cutting, singing of the national anthem, and a singing of a solo that can best be described as a doxology. The Philippines is a very religious country (70 percent Catholic)

We were then regaled by a fantastic native dance show. About 20 young dancers from a local university in native dress and accompanied with original instruments. Just wonderful.

Mitch Ballesteros, CEO of the iorganizers, then welcomed us and the presentations began. The President of the local ASIS chapter is now speaking on garage security

There are about five companies that are exhibiting from the local fledgling parking industry. There are about 100 in attendance.

More later and some pix when I get back to the hotel and my computer.
Jvh
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Parking in Manila

I'm told the daily parking charges are about $4 a day.  Comparable to a small middle American city. The difference being, this is a major Asian metropolis the size of Los Angeles.

jvh

Manila is the same, but different

This is a bustling, vibrant, metropolitan city. It is also a third world city. If you have been to Bangkok, or  I Mexico city, or Sao Paulo, you know what I mean. There is no middle class. Everything is either wealth or poverty Everywhere you look are civil construction projects 95% finished. sidewalks partially finished. Buildings with just a little of the side not quite in place.  You also notice something else - Terrorism is alive and well in Manila

OK, if you go to the towers at Century city in Los Angeles, your car is checked before you park, but that is the only place I'm aware of for such activities in LA, unless you count the Israeli Consulate.

However everywhere here is guarded. There is a checkpoint to get into the hotel port cochere. The taxi is checked under and in the trunk. In the shopping center across the street - it can take 20 minutes at high times to get into the parking lot, same reason.  When you enter the hotel you are introduced to the Intercontinental's Golden Retriever. She is one of a number in their canine corps.  And they aren't there for protection, but for the use of their very wonderful noses.

You saw none of this when I was in east Asia 20 years ago.  People were free to come and go as they pleased. Not today. Dennis pointed out that westerners aren't stopped entering the shopping center, but every Asian is checked. WOW.  If someone thinks this is progress, they certainly have a strange definition of the word. 

I will say that the folks here certainly know how to treat visiting speakers. I was met at the plane by an escort who took me through customs and immigration with barely a stop. Then I went to a, can you believe it, VIP lounge where I had some water and rested a tad and chatted with my local hosts before we went out and caught a cab into the city and the hotel. Wonderful treatment. 

Its 7 AM on Tuesday. I'm going down for breakfast and then off to the Philippine parking conference and exhibition. More later

JVH

On the Road

I'm blogging from Seoul Incheon International Airport during a layover on myy flight to Manila. When I arrive i will be representing Parking World and speaking before the Philippine Parking Expo this week. I'll be live blogging and tweeting from the event. Stay tuned

This beautiful airport reminds me that LAX really needs a face lift -- Its the entry airport for probably 20 million visitors to the US each year and we send them through the crowded, under construction, crappy, Bradley International Terminal.  Hell charge every person who goes through the airport 5 bucks and build a terminal that represents America well.

JVH