Calgary parking changes, is this right? What do people do?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

And Mission has multiple above and below ground pay lots that are relatively inexpensive. I’m curious what areas have such a bad parking crunch for outings. Kensington and Bridgeland? Certainly nowhere downtown.

Are people really not gonna go for dinner because they have to pay $3 for parking? It’s not like there will actually be any more available spaces on a Friday or Saturday night just because of this rule. Its still going to be dominated by people with permits.

I am skeptical of this too. I know CHL mentioned it above, but what part of the parking situation is that horrible that it would deter someone from dining out there. It's not as if there are no spaces downtown and they aren't cost prohibitive at all. If so, dine after 6pm when on-street is free. Walk a block if necessary. What's the big deal?

[Amethyst]

I've avoided Mission for years, because the parking situation sucked. If it doesn't anymore, let me know. Maybe I will go there again.

[Locke]

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

I've avoided Mission for years, because the parking situation sucked. If it doesn't anymore, let me know. Maybe I will go there again.

There’s a ton of relatively inexpensive paid lots. Street parking has always been at a premium in the summer and worse now due to the patios taking up almost all the spots on 4th st.

- underground lot behind blaze/Roys/milk tiger complex
- parkade behind famoso I think. It’s an above ground parkade. There one behind Joyce too but not sure if it’s the same one or separate.
- at least 3 above ground smaller lots. One by ducky’s, one behind blaze (but it’s very small), one behind shoppers? Or maybe a block over? It’s near a little professional centre that’s mid block on the east side of 4th st. Actually, there’s one across the st from shoppers too I think next to Boulangerie.
- now that I think about it, holy cross might have public parking. It’s on the other side of 2 st so you’d have to walk a block to get to 4th.

All are like $4-6 for evening/weekend parking. Obviously quite a bit more expensive for weekday. I couldn’t imagine wasting 30 minutes weaving all the side streets looking for free parking when you’re gonna go spend $150 to eat at Mercato but don’t want to spend $6 to park securely underground. Not that I wouldn’t park for free if it’s available, i just wouldn’t waste my time if I didn’t find anything right away.

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

And Mission has multiple above and below ground pay lots that are relatively inexpensive. I’m curious what areas have such a bad parking crunch for outings. Kensington and Bridgeland? Certainly nowhere downtown.

Are people really not gonna go for dinner because they have to pay $3 for parking? It’s not like there will actually be any more available spaces on a Friday or Saturday night just because of this rule. Its still going to be dominated by people with permits.

Originally Posted by Wormius

I am skeptical of this too. I know CHL mentioned it above, but what part of the parking situation is that horrible that it would deter someone from dining out there. It's not as if there are no spaces downtown and they aren't cost prohibitive at all. If so, dine after 6pm when on-street is free. Walk a block if necessary. What's the big deal?

I never said the cost to park downtown was a factor, just the PITA in orchestrating a night out downtown. Telling a 74 year old who lives in Silver Springs what street is best to park on, two blocks over, 'oh and don't forget to download the parking app' is not met with enthusiasm. It's just easier to meet them in Crowfoot.

The site in Inglewood I mentioned is easy to access, give directions to, and meet at. It being free had nothing to do with my main point.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

I never said the cost to park downtown was a factor, just the PITA in orchestrating a night out downtown. Telling a 74 year old who lives in Silver Springs what street is best to park on, two blocks over, 'oh and don't forget to download the parking app' is not met with enthusiasm. It's just easier to meet them in Crowfoot.

The site in Inglewood I mentioned is easy to access, give directions to, and meet at. It being free had nothing to do with my main point.

Ok but the guy you quoted did say that so it kinda seemed like that’s what you were saying too.

But old suburbanites disliking going to the belt line for supper is also accurate, it just doesn’t mean much for the parking permit situation.

[timun]

Who gives a #### about old fart suburbanites who rarely venture into the inner city anyway? Boo-friggity-hoo.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

I never said the cost to park downtown was a factor, just the PITA in orchestrating a night out downtown. Telling a 74 year old who lives in Silver Springs what street is best to park on, two blocks over, 'oh and don't forget to download the parking app' is not met with enthusiasm. It's just easier to meet them in Crowfoot.

The site in Inglewood I mentioned is easy to access, give directions to, and meet at. It being free had nothing to do with my main point.

Maybe I'm being to pragmatic here. This seems like a "teaching old dogs new tricks" issue then. The city hasn't removed any of the physical pay stations, so there is no need for downloading apps if you're going for a night out; look for a place to park near the destination, and just punch in the zone, license plate, and insert card.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Honestly I avoid planning dinners or nights out in areas where it's going to be a pain in the ass to park more and more, so I at least get the sentiment. I'm assuming the thinking is that if you live in a condo in the inner city you likely either have no car at all (surprising how many people in their early 20s now seem to fall into this category) or one at most.

It's a weird conflict where yes, the city wants density and this works against that, but also the city wants fewer cars on the road, especially in the inner city... I suspect they're assuming that over a 5 year time frame this will impact people's transportation choices?

Do you consider a lot, or underground parking (i.e anything not free/on street) to be “a pain”? There are parking lots available super cheap evenings and weekends in every district in the inner city and downtown. Weekday can be a bit more, but it’s certainly not hard to find anywhere. I can’t think of any place in Calgary for dinner where it’s hard to park, unless the expectation is the same as a mall or big box centre.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

The issue here for me is that people who live in homes or infills having an advantage to access parking is ridiculous and completely classist policy.

Ok this angle I agree with more. They should be rescinding it from everyone. When you buy a property, there is no titled spot associated with it on the street.

It makes no sense for the public to bear the cost of providing free storage for private vehicles.