It’s one of the topics that I love arguing with people about – the apparent lack of parking in the city’s commercial districts. If you’ve ever traveled to cities like Boston or Toronto, then you know how difficult it can be to park your car in a commercial district (or any district for that matter). Buffalonians must learn that as the commercial districts continue to grow, parking spaces will in turn be depleted. Are parking woes really that bad around here? If more people shop in the city, it might mean that a walk from a parking space to a destination will be longer. Is it that big of a deal? Or are people spoiled by the massive amount of parking spaces at the malls? Even the malls require a short hike to get to the front door… and from there one must get to the shopping destination of his or her choice. In the end, a walk is a walk and I’d rather be walking out in the fresh air in an urban commercial district.
This Holiday season, Mayor Brown is requesting that parking meter collections be suspended for two days prior to Christmas. That would mean that on Tuesday, December 23rd and Wednesday, December 24th, drivers would be able to park for free on commercial streets such as Hertel Avenue. There are mixed emotions as to whether this sort of idea is a good one. On the one hand, it’s nice to be able to save a few quarters when parking. It’s also good to know that you don’t have to rush back to your car when the meter expires. On the flipside, residents and store employees have been known to take advantage of these types of opportunities. What a break it is to be able to park the car and not have to worry about it for a couple days. Years ago, Elmwood business owners fought to install meters along certain blocks in order to keep a constant flow of customers circulating in and out of the shops. If there is slow turnaround at the parking meters, then that might be reflected in the number a cash register sales.
Free parking is a nice idea, but if you think that there is a parking problem now, just wait until you don’t have to throw quarters in the meter.
queenseyes
Newell Nussbaumer is 'queenseyes' - Eyes of the Queen City and Founder of Buffalo Rising. Co-founder Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Co-founder Powder Keg Festival that built the world's largest ice maze (Guinness Book of World Records). Instigator behind Emerald Beach at the Erie Basin Marina. Co-creator of Rusty Chain Beer. Instigator of Buffalo Porchfest, and Paint vs. Paint. Founder of The Peddler retro and vintage market on Elmwood. Instigator behind Liberty Hound @ Canalside. Throws The Witches Ball at Statler City, the Hertel Alley Street Art Festival, and The Flutterby Festival. And his latest adventure... FigBuffalo, with the intention of creating a Buffalo United Fashion Front (BUFF). Contact Newell Nussbaumer | Newell@BuffaloRising.com