Free Parking !

aj1980 · ‎12-05-2019

Why do we need to pay to park? You want us to come to your events, establishments etc but if its downtown you have to pay to park. Maybe True that on Sundays some meters are free However, I feel that during this time of year parking should be free. Where does the money go? I saw a sign charging $50 to go to the football game. A garage doesnt need upkeep. No wonder people are more likely to shop /stay at home. If I'm being ridiculous I am sorry

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

Parking areas including garages do indeed need upkeep as well as needing security.

Have you ever looked at what some of the vehicles (and the drivers) leave behind? Some of it can be hazardous.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

@aj1980 - First of all, I have no idea where you are or what the parking fees are.

However, "a garage doesn't need upkeep"? It most certainly does. Or would you have the owner(s) of the garage let it deteriorate to the point that it collapses? (And then be sued for negligence?) Any man-made structure needs upkeep. Including roads, bridges, sidewalks, buildings, etc.

I doubt the businesses are collecting those parking fees (private venues like a football stadium excluded). That would be the city/town/county. How do you think they maintain the infrastructure?

I agree that sometimes it's annoying to have to pay for parking, but that's the reality. The only quibble I have is the one thing you touched on - private venues charging you for a ticket and then charging you, if you want to park there. That seems to be pretty common these days and that makes me stay away. Ticket prices for anything like a game or concert are already high enough. However, they get away with it, because people have little choice except to stay home.

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

@aj1980 Do some research and you'll find out why it costs money to park. Educate yourself on these matters.

Tori3569 · ‎06-27-2010

Most venues don't own or operate the parking lots. There are parking management companies that own and operate, so the fees don't always go back to the team, stadium, venue, etc.

So, besides the upkeep absolutely needed, there is the monthly lease to pay, maintenance of whatever payment type they use as well as employees.

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

"What the market will bear."

Mombo1 · ‎11-02-2015

@aj1980 wrote:
Why do we need to pay to park? You want us to come to your events, establishments etc but if its downtown you have to pay to park. Maybe True that on Sundays some meters are free However, I feel that during this time of year parking should be free. Where does the money go? I saw a sign charging $50 to go to the football game. A garage doesnt need upkeep. No wonder people are more likely to shop /stay at home. If I'm being ridiculous I am sorry

@aj1980 I guess it depends on where you live... I am in a college town. Just went through town today. The parking meters on the Main Street are all covered with a red bag and bow. They do this every Christmas season. It looks nice and the small businesses and patrons of the shops appreciate the gesture.

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

I was really surprised when a hotel charged for parking even for overnight guests or those staying several days.

That just seemed so unwelcoming and tacky.

But nothing to do as the out of town wedding guests were already staying there. We lived close so were lucky.

And it was a lot everyday too!

After that I knew I would never stay at a hotel that not only charged for a room but also to use the parking garage and I don't care who it is managed by the hotel or another company. That is just poor marketing and management strategy.

But to some, they will not care.

It is exactly what the market will bear as @deepwaterdotter said and always is.

A sweater for $90 or a sweater for $12-could be the same sweater. Who will stay at the hotel and who will not? Or buy a ticket and then pay for parking.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

Around here the individual that owns the lot gets the money. When I worked downtown in the 70's I had to pay to park to go to work 5 days a week. There was no free parking.