Comments on: Solution For Downtown Parking Rate Hike

By: Speckled Hen

Speckled Hen — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 16:30:09 +0000

It’s funny seeing so-called “market-based” conservatives rip on charging a market rate for parking. Just as places like the Village understand the market with regard to their parking, it stands to reason that downtown market for parking rates be adjusted for what the market will bear. That’s a pretty sound decision. If it leads to less usage, then that’s all about basic supply and demand. I’ve yet to see a downtown that is “suffering” due to parking prices. The downtowns that have free parking are often the ones that are having economic struggles and free parking is a last desperate attempt to revive them.

I lived in Boise in the early 2000s and always found it funny that people groaned about “downtown parking problems.” I never paid for parking downtown because I wasn’t afraid to walk a few blocks. After leaving for 9 years and returning last year I was certain that all my old free parking areas of downtown would be gone given all the growth. To my surprise, I still always find free parking downtown and my old spots are still there. Oftentimes, my walking distance from these spots to my destination of not any longer than having to park on the fringe of the Village, the Mall, or Walmart parking lots on a busy day.

By: Heinrich Wiebe

Heinrich Wiebe — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 15:58:55 +0000

Yo Boiseguardian et’all. There’s an app for that https://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/need-to-feed-the-meter-theres-finally-an-app-for-that/Content?oid=3673974

I’ve got a friend that has plugged the digital meter for HOURS at a time. There’s no limit and no reason to move the car.

EDITOR NOTE–We question your comment about “no limit.” Many meters have a notice of one or two hour limits on them. At first blush the app seems to encourage violation of the time limit. Worst case it may actually PROVE you overstayed a posted limit.

By: Ummm. . .

Ummm. . . — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 16:55:11 +0000

But Easterner, DT Office Worker also shops at the Albertson’s, so it is not really free parking. And it makes Albertson’s look busier. And maybe the DT Office Worker works at an Albertson’s. Many unstated possibilities.

By: Easterner

Easterner — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 18:06:30 +0000

Yes DT Cheapo, you are trespassing by any standard of the law. Congrats.

You could also take the bus for the whole route.
Can you tell us which lot?
Maybe a homeless person (or two) could sit inside your car, while you’re not using it, to stay safe out of the cold…
You know, “you are not using it” while you’re at your office.
Same thing.

By: erico49

erico49 — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 16:24:13 +0000

DT. How does Albertsons feel about your using their parking lot as a Park and Ride. I know Winco across from the courthouse wasn’t too wild about that.

By: DT Office Worker

DT Office Worker — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 07:18:56 +0000

Suck it up! I drive 10 minutes to an Albertsons parking lot where I catch a bus and ride into downtown. I’ve done this for over a year now. I laugh at how much money downtown permit holders are wasting while I enjoy my bus ride in rush hour traffic, looking at cat photos on my Facebook news feed.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 04:37:40 +0000

Frank – when you are the CCDC and you (and the mayor) can control all the tax revenue from the increase in tax assessment you have a pot of cash you can spend on “public projects”.

These projects can compete with and / or subsidize the infrastructure that the developers do not have to pay for to make the projects viable.

It is like St Luke’s who has so much cash it has to spend it on more and more buildings or the massive cash becomes too visible.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 23:53:12 +0000

How did the CCDC end up with most of the parking garages in downtown anyway? It would be easier to take if the extra monies were being used to explore east /west bus routes as opposed to the CCDC spending $2 million to explore the downtown streetcar? Boy is mayor Bieter gonna be upset when he learns of the increase!

By: Eagle Writer

Eagle Writer — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 23:27:56 +0000

I agree, Bikeboy is right. Easterner is right until he reaches an unfounded conclusion: “all communities need effective mass transit.” That would be Easterner making the choices for others.

I appreciated mass transit in Europe and Asia, and never desired to drive there. Didn’t desire to live there either.

Simply put, my car is like a nice restaurant; my bike would be like a good, hand-packed lunch in a brown bag; and mass transit is a very bad cafeteria. It would add nothing of value to Boise City, and will surely diminish the good that is there.

Make no mistake – the intent is to reduce choice. Reduce car lanes, car parking, car traffic, and car choice.

By: Easterner

Easterner — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 20:56:15 +0000

Thanks bikeboy.
That is exactly my response to Eagle Writer’s rebuttal… “it is all about choice”.

It also applies to business owners. There is a choice for your accounts, customers, and use of technology.
Recycle. Don’t recycle.
Downtown. Bench.
Drive. Skype.
We can all choose accordingly; for our lifestyle and our grandchildrens’ lifestyle.

Obviously, there are SOME people not able to make an easy choice- for one reason or another they are stuck.
And that is why all communities need effective mass transit. Boise/Treasure Valley doesn’t have that.