Late afternoon parking rates downtown

Hull534 · 18-07-2012, 08:32 PM

A good initiative by councillor Jane Batty to bring down the cost of parking downtown for the after work hours. Now with many new dining establishments downtown it should encourage people to come downtown after work to meet up with friends and family. Right now, the parking rates at 4: 30 - 6 PM are just punitive and silly as the parking lots are getting empty at that time of day.

http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg...spx?ID=1741127

GreenSPACE · 18-07-2012, 09:57 PM

Meh. Only Jane would care about such a thing.

Blueline · 19-07-2012, 07:44 AM

SIC only business' trying to make a go of it would care about such a thing

Medwards · 19-07-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

Meh. Only Jane would care about such a thing.

Encouraging people to come downtown is a good thing. I'm sure the business that support the decl would appreciate this.

IanO · 19-07-2012, 08:11 AM

^absolutely Meds, but I am not sure that initiative will do very much at the end of the day. Time and resources could be focussed on many other things.

Alex.L · 19-07-2012, 08:19 AM

This sounds to me like a kneejerk reaction to someone saying "why pay for parking downtown when I can go to _____ in SEC and park for free?"

jstock · 19-07-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

Meh. Only Jane would care about such a thing.

It is her ward. Good for her for looking after it.

Dusty Bear · 19-07-2012, 01:05 PM

Why the heck not? It's a relatively small change that requires little effort, but these things are cumulative. I'm for it.

bolo · 19-07-2012, 01:11 PM

I like it.

Komrade · 19-07-2012, 01:44 PM

Lets move towards free if possible

etownboarder · 24-07-2012, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

^absolutely Meds, but I am not sure that initiative will do very much at the end of the day. Time and resources could be focussed on many other things.

What possibly time and resources would changing rates on meters really take? The rates for weekends and weekdays are already different so I can't imagine it would take more than a quick reprogram + sign indicating rate changes. Perhaps this can be done when they replace the parking meters with whatever new technology they chose.

IanO · 24-07-2012, 09:31 AM

^perhaps, but to change rates or times on each meter along with new stickers is quite the effort. Not impossible, but I do wonder if this is well thought out.

How much revenue lost versus say what about keeping 6pm and making sat free or reduced.

I am in agreement that we need to review meters again, but let us not hastily just go change stuff cause it feels right.

Medwards · 24-07-2012, 10:42 AM

^ maybe they are thinking of doing this with the implementation of the new meters, where it will be easy to adjust times/rates display from a central computer.

IanO · 24-07-2012, 12:15 PM

^that is a whole different story, but with a similar intro. What changes would be most effective, 6pm to 430 or 5pm 5 days a week or for 9 hrs once a week on Sat... and at what cost.

bolo · 24-07-2012, 12:29 PM

I think the late afternoon change would make a big diff. I often invite people out after work and they would rather stay late at work til 6pm and come park for free than come right after work and spend a few bucks on a meter. It's really a discouragement for happy hours.

IanO · 24-07-2012, 12:47 PM

Does $1 or 2 really make that much difference... really?

240GLT · 24-07-2012, 01:02 PM

^ For some people Ian, yes it does.

Alex.L · 24-07-2012, 01:28 PM

For a lot of people it's the straw that breaks the commuter's back. It's a hassle to get downtown, it's a hassle to find parking (a sentiment I don't agree with), it's a hassle to have change for parking, it's a hassle to have to walk a few blocks to get where you're going, you're going to be asked for change from someone on the street, etc.

(again, I don't agree with this next part, but...) It's much easier to just drive up 10ft from the door to Hudson's South Common, wander in, have a drink or dinner, then walk back out and drive home. No change, no hassle.

GreenSPACE · 24-07-2012, 01:46 PM

Edmonton's downtown is the easiest city of it's size to find parking. This might make a very modest improvement, but really not worth the effort. Jane needs to find better issues to work on.

KenL2 · 24-07-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240GLT

^ For some people Ian, yes it does.

You think so? I mean if we use the resto-bar example, they are headed to the Pint on 9th or Public House where there is a ton of parking a few hundred feet away, they are gonna drop 40-50 bucks on food and drink and the $2 makes a difference and they go to The Local @ SEC instead? or not go at all (which I guess is cheaper

)

The tip is $10!

How much extra fuel did they use getting there/back? time?

bolo · 24-07-2012, 04:05 PM

Well in my scenarios, I'm not saying that people elect to go elsewhere. They just elect not to come as early (or maybe not at all) because of the parking. Some people hate active meters (for fear of time limits and getting towed). Some people just hate paying for parking in general. Call it cheap or irrational or whatever, but it's just how some people are. Then again, we are talking about happy hour where the draw is to save a buck or two per drink, so spending your savings on parking just ends up being a wash (same as showing up later and paying full price for drinks).

With a little encouragement, I can usually get them to come down earlier. But frankly, I'm not really in the mood to champion paying 3.50/hr just to go to happy hour. I personally don't think it's a big deal, but I don't want to get tell people how to spend their money. Free would be much easier, and I don't think it will really work against what the parking meters were designed to do (provide convenient and available parking for the CBD during daytime business hours).

GreenSPACE · 24-07-2012, 04:40 PM

A great downtown is not parking-focused. As downtown develops, the surface parking lots will be replaced by some underground parking, but for the most part street parking will become more of a premium.

Instead, Jane should be focusing her efforts on downtown infrastructure projects and how to fund them. This will entice people downtown, not easier parking. The real issue is the lack of mass transit infrastructure to the downtown, hence why it is our Council's #1 priority. Until that exists to most parts of the city, cars will still be people's first choice. But we need everyone to think long-term.

240GLT · 25-07-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenL2

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240GLT

^ For some people Ian, yes it does.

You think so? I mean if we use the resto-bar example, they are headed to the Pint on 9th or Public House where there is a ton of parking a few hundred feet away, they are gonna drop 40-50 bucks on food and drink and the $2 makes a difference and they go to The Local @ SEC instead? or not go at all (which I guess is cheaper

)

The tip is $10!

How much extra fuel did they use getting there/back? time?

You're over analyzing. Most people, if driving, are going to head for a place where parking is ample. When we go for food or beer after work, we walk someplace because it's easy and we are down here anyways. If we are going to drive somewhere, we go to a place where it's easy to park. Very simple. And it's not a case of DT vs. SEC like so many of you like to think it is... This city is full of great places to go that are not downtown.

Medwards · 25-07-2012, 08:29 AM

I doubt changing the rates in the meters in the late pm will make any sort of difference. People who aren't downtown already won't just suddenly come downtown because parking is a buck or two cheaper. Most car driving people realize that you only need to drive a few minutes out of downtown and voila. Amble free parking all night long.

IanO · 25-07-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ander

For a lot of people it's the straw that breaks the commuter's back. It's a hassle to get downtown, it's a hassle to find parking (a sentiment I don't agree with), it's a hassle to have change for parking, it's a hassle to have to walk a few blocks to get where you're going, you're going to be asked for change from someone on the street, etc.

(again, I don't agree with this next part, but...) It's much easier to just drive up 10ft from the door to Hudson's South Common, wander in, have a drink or dinner, then walk back out and drive home. No change, no hassle.

Very very true unfortunately. Which is why IMO parking rates are not so much the problem as is the challenge that downtown is simply not sexy enough, exciting enough or unique enough to draw people in spite of the above. When I visit Vancouver, I easily pay $5-10 to park to enjoy their downtown for a few hours, why? Because it is worth it to me to pay that then to spend my day enjoying free parking in Burnaby or Richmond.

Medwards · 25-07-2012, 10:01 AM

It's a little different when you a tourist, and there's an actual reason to go downtown. For the average person, here in Edmonton, downtown is not a draw, unless you have reason to go there, or already there. If you don't, it becomes a much bigger hassle to a) find parking, b) pay for parking c) worry about the meter running out. For most, its much easier to stick to the suburbs where they already work/live/play. It's a little bit different when you are on tourist mode in another city.

Tell me IanO, If I lived in the suburbs, worked in the suburbs (like a majority of this city does) why would I want to come downtown and pay for parking, when I can have free parking for as long as I need?

bolo · 25-07-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ander

For a lot of people it's the straw that breaks the commuter's back. It's a hassle to get downtown, it's a hassle to find parking (a sentiment I don't agree with), it's a hassle to have change for parking, it's a hassle to have to walk a few blocks to get where you're going, you're going to be asked for change from someone on the street, etc.

(again, I don't agree with this next part, but...) It's much easier to just drive up 10ft from the door to Hudson's South Common, wander in, have a drink or dinner, then walk back out and drive home. No change, no hassle.

Very very true unfortunately. Which is why IMO parking rates are not so much the problem as is the challenge that downtown is simply not sexy enough, exciting enough or unique enough to draw people in spite of the above. When I visit Vancouver, I easily pay $5-10 to park to enjoy their downtown for a few hours, why? Because it is worth it to me to pay that then to spend my day enjoying free parking in Burnaby or Richmond.

Remove a current obstacle to get more people downtown which improve the economics so that more "sexy" businesses move in. Then you can increase parking rates when warranted. At this point in time, our 4:30-6pm does not warrant parking charges.

Honestly, if this is already on Batty's agenda, I don't see why we shouldn't be supportive.

GreenSPACE · 25-07-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medwards

It's a little different when you a tourist, and there's an actual reason to go downtown. For the average person, here in Edmonton, downtown is not a draw, unless you have reason to go there, or already there. If you don't, it becomes a much bigger hassle to a) find parking, b) pay for parking c) worry about the meter running out. For most, its much easier to stick to the suburbs where they already work/live/play. It's a little bit different when you are on tourist mode in another city.

Tell me IanO, If I lived in the suburbs, worked in the suburbs (like a majority of this city does) why would I want to come downtown and pay for parking, when I can have free parking for as long as I need?

There will always be those that want to be downtown, where the action is, where our cultural history is, despite the challenges. This is a long-term trend in all North American cities, back towards living in the core. Parking is only one factor.

240GLT · 25-07-2012, 11:10 AM

Populations will ebb and flow. Some people like living in that environment, some don't. Edmonton is, and will be for the forseeable future, a car centric, and wide spread city. Poeple will avoid places where it is inconvenient to park.

I hate how this forum has been hijacked by the core vs. 'burbs contingent, there is so little pragmatism here.

They really should rename this forum to something a lot less inclusive.

IanO · 25-07-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medwards

It's a little different when you a tourist, and there's an actual reason to go downtown. For the average person, here in Edmonton, downtown is not a draw, unless you have reason to go there, or already there. If you don't, it becomes a much bigger hassle to a) find parking, b) pay for parking c) worry about the meter running out. For most, its much easier to stick to the suburbs where they already work/live/play. It's a little bit different when you are on tourist mode in another city.

Tell me IanO, If I lived in the suburbs, worked in the suburbs (like a majority of this city does) why would I want to come downtown and pay for parking, when I can have free parking for as long as I need?

My point was not from a tourist perspective, many friends avoid downtown van at all costs. They will not pay for parking and prefer metro town, oakridge, aberdeen etc. The difference is putting destinations downtown that you can't find elsewhere and increasing employment in the core.

manonaubry · 25-07-2012, 11:46 AM

I live in the Quarters but seldom shop downtown, the walk in anything but perfect weather does not interest me. I prefer to drive and park but call me cheap, irrational or whatever, I refuse to pay for parking unless I absolutely have to. Free parking in the afternoon would make me frequent DT more. Jane does what she can, I support her.

18-07-2012, 09:57 PM	#2
GreenSPACE Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downtown	Meh. Only Jane would care about such a thing. __________________ www.decl.org

19-07-2012, 07:44 AM	#3
Blueline Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton	SIC only business' trying to make a go of it would care about such a thing __________________ Still waiting for the Arlington site to be reborn .......

19-07-2012, 08:11 AM	#5
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^absolutely Meds, but I am not sure that initiative will do very much at the end of the day. Time and resources could be focussed on many other things. __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

19-07-2012, 08:19 AM	#6
Alex.L Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Edmonton	This sounds to me like a kneejerk reaction to someone saying "why pay for parking downtown when I can go to _____ in SEC and park for free?" __________________ Y.E.S.S. Fundraiser - http://tinyurl.com/yessdonate Maker of Something Edmonton - http://tinyurl.com/YEGFRAME

19-07-2012, 01:44 PM	#10
Komrade Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Beverly	Lets move towards free if possible __________________ facebook.com/BrothersGrimMusic youtube.com/GrimEmpire

18-07-2012, 08:32 PM	#1
Hull534 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Edmonton	Late afternoon parking rates downtown A good initiative by councillor Jane Batty to bring down the cost of parking downtown for the after work hours. Now with many new dining establishments downtown it should encourage people to come downtown after work to meet up with friends and family. Right now, the parking rates at 4: 30 - 6 PM are just punitive and silly as the parking lots are getting empty at that time of day. http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg...spx?ID=1741127

19-07-2012, 01:05 PM	#8
Dusty Bear Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Why the heck not? It's a relatively small change that requires little effort, but these things are cumulative. I'm for it.

19-07-2012, 01:11 PM	#9
bolo Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2011	I like it.

24-07-2012, 09:31 AM	#12
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^perhaps, but to change rates or times on each meter along with new stickers is quite the effort. Not impossible, but I do wonder if this is well thought out. How much revenue lost versus say what about keeping 6pm and making sat free or reduced. I am in agreement that we need to review meters again, but let us not hastily just go change stuff cause it feels right. __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

24-07-2012, 10:42 AM	#13
Medwards Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton	^ maybe they are thinking of doing this with the implementation of the new meters, where it will be easy to adjust times/rates display from a central computer.

24-07-2012, 12:15 PM	#14
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^that is a whole different story, but with a similar intro. What changes would be most effective, 6pm to 430 or 5pm 5 days a week or for 9 hrs once a week on Sat... and at what cost. __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

24-07-2012, 12:29 PM	#15
bolo Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2011	I think the late afternoon change would make a big diff. I often invite people out after work and they would rather stay late at work til 6pm and come park for free than come right after work and spend a few bucks on a meter. It's really a discouragement for happy hours.

24-07-2012, 12:47 PM	#16
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	Does $1 or 2 really make that much difference... really? __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

24-07-2012, 01:02 PM	#17
240GLT Addicted to C2E Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North central	^ For some people Ian, yes it does. __________________ Parkdale

24-07-2012, 01:28 PM	#18
Alex.L Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Edmonton	For a lot of people it's the straw that breaks the commuter's back. It's a hassle to get downtown, it's a hassle to find parking (a sentiment I don't agree with), it's a hassle to have change for parking, it's a hassle to have to walk a few blocks to get where you're going, you're going to be asked for change from someone on the street, etc. (again, I don't agree with this next part, but...) It's much easier to just drive up 10ft from the door to Hudson's South Common, wander in, have a drink or dinner, then walk back out and drive home. No change, no hassle. __________________ Y.E.S.S. Fundraiser - http://tinyurl.com/yessdonate Maker of Something Edmonton - http://tinyurl.com/YEGFRAME

24-07-2012, 01:46 PM	#19
GreenSPACE Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downtown	Edmonton's downtown is the easiest city of it's size to find parking. This might make a very modest improvement, but really not worth the effort. Jane needs to find better issues to work on. __________________ www.decl.org

24-07-2012, 04:05 PM	#21
bolo Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2011	Well in my scenarios, I'm not saying that people elect to go elsewhere. They just elect not to come as early (or maybe not at all) because of the parking. Some people hate active meters (for fear of time limits and getting towed). Some people just hate paying for parking in general. Call it cheap or irrational or whatever, but it's just how some people are. Then again, we are talking about happy hour where the draw is to save a buck or two per drink, so spending your savings on parking just ends up being a wash (same as showing up later and paying full price for drinks). With a little encouragement, I can usually get them to come down earlier. But frankly, I'm not really in the mood to champion paying 3.50/hr just to go to happy hour. I personally don't think it's a big deal, but I don't want to get tell people how to spend their money. Free would be much easier, and I don't think it will really work against what the parking meters were designed to do (provide convenient and available parking for the CBD during daytime business hours).

24-07-2012, 04:40 PM	#22
GreenSPACE Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downtown	A great downtown is not parking-focused. As downtown develops, the surface parking lots will be replaced by some underground parking, but for the most part street parking will become more of a premium. Instead, Jane should be focusing her efforts on downtown infrastructure projects and how to fund them. This will entice people downtown, not easier parking. The real issue is the lack of mass transit infrastructure to the downtown, hence why it is our Council's #1 priority. Until that exists to most parts of the city, cars will still be people's first choice. But we need everyone to think long-term. __________________ www.decl.org

25-07-2012, 08:29 AM	#24
Medwards Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton	I doubt changing the rates in the meters in the late pm will make any sort of difference. People who aren't downtown already won't just suddenly come downtown because parking is a buck or two cheaper. Most car driving people realize that you only need to drive a few minutes out of downtown and voila. Amble free parking all night long.

25-07-2012, 10:01 AM	#26
Medwards Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton	It's a little different when you a tourist, and there's an actual reason to go downtown. For the average person, here in Edmonton, downtown is not a draw, unless you have reason to go there, or already there. If you don't, it becomes a much bigger hassle to a) find parking, b) pay for parking c) worry about the meter running out. For most, its much easier to stick to the suburbs where they already work/live/play. It's a little bit different when you are on tourist mode in another city. Tell me IanO, If I lived in the suburbs, worked in the suburbs (like a majority of this city does) why would I want to come downtown and pay for parking, when I can have free parking for as long as I need?

25-07-2012, 11:10 AM	#29
240GLT Addicted to C2E Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North central	Populations will ebb and flow. Some people like living in that environment, some don't. Edmonton is, and will be for the forseeable future, a car centric, and wide spread city. Poeple will avoid places where it is inconvenient to park. I hate how this forum has been hijacked by the core vs. 'burbs contingent, there is so little pragmatism here. They really should rename this forum to something a lot less inclusive. __________________ Parkdale

25-07-2012, 11:46 AM	#31
manonaubry First One is Always Free Join Date: Aug 2010	I live in the Quarters but seldom shop downtown, the walk in anything but perfect weather does not interest me. I prefer to drive and park but call me cheap, irrational or whatever, I refuse to pay for parking unless I absolutely have to. Free parking in the afternoon would make me frequent DT more. Jane does what she can, I support her.