Where I live on the UWS, the monthly garage parking pushes $20-$25k annually. I don't know who can afford that, but apparently too many people.
I think an annual residential parking pass is more than 1% of the value of a garage spot, why not auction them off, could probably get like $1500 per pass around here
Manhattan always seems to be caught between it's identity as a place 1.6 million people live and it's role as a hub of business and commerce (and often just seems to forget it's a place people live.) Having so much of the streets designated for parking instead of larger side walks or greenery is clearly supposed to support those who don't actually live there. I think finding ways to charge non-Manhattanites for their disproportionate use of the space when they might not be paying city income taxes feels like both sound policy to maximize use the space, but also spread the tax base more equitably among all users.
Sensible transportation policies like charging for on street parking run into the political buzz saw of drivers and small businesses, who wield outsized influence in Albany. Manhattan and North Brooklyn are obvious locations for such a program.
The parking issue, though, is just one aspect of street transportation conflicts that have become so difficult that a complete review and overhaul of the laws and designs that dictate how city streets are used. Unfortunately, in the US, planning of any kind is politically impotent while comprehensive planning is considered unAmerican.
Drivers wielding more political power than car-free citizens is certainly an issue, but I think (or at least hope) that the success of congestion pricing has opened the door to further changes. There's also the argument, as I mentioned in the article, that residential parking permits would actually be good for local drivers. It lets those who desire it most to pay a fee for improved access to parking spots, similar to how congestion pricing has made driving into Manhattan more pleasurable with less traffic.
Similarly, I'd worry about conflating street parking changes with the many other street transportation and design causes. If we fall into the trap that any minor street change must be part of a system overhaul, we run the risk of never achieving minor victories. While comprehensive change is ideal, being too idealistic favors the status quo.
Think it's more likely business wielding power. How many drivers from Connecticut, Westchester, and New Jersey shop in Manhattan? Many of these people with disposable income dislike public transit.
Reducing street parking would hurt stores & restaurants
Where I live on the UWS, the monthly garage parking pushes $20-$25k annually. I don't know who can afford that, but apparently too many people.
I think an annual residential parking pass is more than 1% of the value of a garage spot, why not auction them off, could probably get like $1500 per pass around here
Manhattan always seems to be caught between it's identity as a place 1.6 million people live and it's role as a hub of business and commerce (and often just seems to forget it's a place people live.) Having so much of the streets designated for parking instead of larger side walks or greenery is clearly supposed to support those who don't actually live there. I think finding ways to charge non-Manhattanites for their disproportionate use of the space when they might not be paying city income taxes feels like both sound policy to maximize use the space, but also spread the tax base more equitably among all users.
What a great piece!
Thank you, Amy!
Sensible transportation policies like charging for on street parking run into the political buzz saw of drivers and small businesses, who wield outsized influence in Albany. Manhattan and North Brooklyn are obvious locations for such a program.
The parking issue, though, is just one aspect of street transportation conflicts that have become so difficult that a complete review and overhaul of the laws and designs that dictate how city streets are used. Unfortunately, in the US, planning of any kind is politically impotent while comprehensive planning is considered unAmerican.
Drivers wielding more political power than car-free citizens is certainly an issue, but I think (or at least hope) that the success of congestion pricing has opened the door to further changes. There's also the argument, as I mentioned in the article, that residential parking permits would actually be good for local drivers. It lets those who desire it most to pay a fee for improved access to parking spots, similar to how congestion pricing has made driving into Manhattan more pleasurable with less traffic.
Similarly, I'd worry about conflating street parking changes with the many other street transportation and design causes. If we fall into the trap that any minor street change must be part of a system overhaul, we run the risk of never achieving minor victories. While comprehensive change is ideal, being too idealistic favors the status quo.
Think it's more likely business wielding power. How many drivers from Connecticut, Westchester, and New Jersey shop in Manhattan? Many of these people with disposable income dislike public transit.
Reducing street parking would hurt stores & restaurants
https://open.substack.com/pub/billgamesh/p/meter-every-spot?r=cx2mr&utm_medium=ios
In NYC, the exceptions would soon become the rule.