copnor on 10/22/2007 1:51:44 PM wrote:
According to the Roanoke Times earlier this year, The number of free parking passes given to downtown residents is 102,
see copnor on 8/15/2007 below.
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roenoke on 10/20/2007 7:27:56 PM wrote:
how many slots have been given away?
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copnor on 10/19/2007 3:08:03 PM wrote:
More money on parking? as long as none of the slots are given away to downtown residents, as the council have done in the past.
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TripleActionJones on 10/19/2007 11:16:08 AM wrote:
$7.6 million for merely improving an existing parking garage and providing a paltry addition of 51 parking spaces seems astonishingly high.
Admittedly I'm no architect or construction wiz but for $7.6 million one would expect the floor of the garage to be gold plated.
Perhaps city council could look into a 2nd opinion, from a seperate firm?
Pay a consultant an exorbitant amount for council to ignore?
;)
We do need more downtown parking to exist.Just seems very pricey.
New stadiums at local high schools are costing about the same.
How much was the estimate for a brand new amphitheater? A little more than the $7.6 mill.?
If these new structures cost near the same, why does repairing a garage cost so much?
Please, educate me
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Travelguy on 10/19/2007 10:27:31 AM wrote:
On City Councils plan to renovate the Church Ave Parking Garage....$7 million for that eyesore? Its just a parking garage, not a needed Hotel/condo project. Why can't a hotel
chain like Hilton come in and do a project?
The garage is in a critical spot. It needs to be more than just a fancy garage.
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Thumper on 9/7/2007 10:51:24 AM wrote:
Just a NOTE: I know, I wouldn't have to worry about parking on the market if I had made better choices earlier in life. Shucks, at 57, I could still go back for another degree and make enough to pay $5/day! My point! I'll pay the $15!
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Thumper on 9/7/2007 10:48:05 AM wrote:
I make $10.00 an hour and after the $15.00 parking ticket on the market , I WILL go somewhere else. Wait, I cannot; I work in the market area. ( Uh, but I did not have a jag parked there, but an OLD toyota...that shouldn't matter to the "meter-maid", should it? ) If I pay $5/day to park in the garage, that affects my take home...I suppose i'll just have to continually play the game of moving my car from place to place. Yes, I know that I can park at the tracks and spend only $3/day, but I have a lot to carry back and forth for my job. Maybe, I could chain a grocery cart there and use that to move my cargo. It's so sad.
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copnor on 9/6/2007 10:14:43 AM wrote:
And your point is ???
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muzikbox01 on 9/5/2007 7:28:03 AM wrote:
FYI - downtown residents would fall under the same rate code as a monthy patron - not a daily patron.... so if the average rate is like $65 it would cost the City 78k per year (assuming there are 100 new residents). But that's 100 new people living downtown and the tax revenue going towards the downtown would far exceed $78k. Think about it - if each resident spends only $100 p/month in eating and drinking downtown (and let's face it that's one night at Frankie Rowland's) then that's an additional $10k alone in food tax revenue.
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copnor on 8/15/2007 9:47:27 AM wrote:
The only question is, are the 55 residents of The old Grand Piano building going to be given free parking in line with the other 102 resident tickets that the city has given away? Or as they are only rental properties will the occupants be ‘persona non grata’ as far as being downtown residents
If each dwelling has an occupancy of two people, then that will mean that the city will be giving away yet another $68,640.00 annually. Assuming parking is $2.00 per day. More than enough to go with the $63,648.00 already given away, and giving a grand total of $132,288.00 which could go a long way towards the $245,000.00 required for the debt service for the $7.2 million garage on Campbell Avenue.
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tigerlilly on 8/1/2007 10:56:59 AM wrote:
Thinking outside the box - more like hallucinating. Let's see I can go to Valley View or Tanglewood and park vs taking a shuttle. Lunch time for Carilion employees - I hope they give them 2 hours.
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Travelguy on 8/1/2007 9:21:21 AM wrote:
Thankfully we have a City Manager that thinks outside the box! A shuttle or "people mover" from Reserve Avenue to downtown is an excellent move! Perhaps the shuttle could be a vintage streetcar on tires to see if people do ride. I think if it is just another Valley Metro bus it won't add much excitement to the concept, in my opinion.
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laurie1125 on 8/1/2007 8:00:33 AM wrote:
Parking should be free if you are going downtown to do some shopping on the Market, eat, or attend a play or special event.
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BP1inVA on 7/4/2007 1:35:52 PM wrote:
I moved here from Charlottesville where I lived and worked very close to the downtown area. I have watched debates of this nature for many years. I think a workable plan should involve input from all those involved. And we all must be willing to compromise to ensure the city continues to develop. Our downtown success is fragile and must be nourished.
(that is the first paragraph - you need to cut and paste the link b/c i don't know how to make it a live link, sorry)
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BP1inVA on 7/4/2007 1:25:53 PM wrote:
so i added onto this one what i thought would be a short comment but it ended up quite long. Just some ideas for you to chew on....
blog.roanokefarmersmarket.com/2007/05/21/new-parking-fees-to-be-introduced/#comment-142
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shazam on 6/5/2007 7:24:36 AM wrote:
Sign the petition to send City Council the message:
www.ipetitions.com/petition/downtownroanokeparking/
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ziranthia on 6/2/2007 4:37:22 PM wrote:
"Eliminate Darlene Burcham's job and send her back to Tidewater."
Now Cindy, that is a very hateful thing to say about Darlene Burcham! Roanoke should be thankful to have some like Darlene, who is from the "real" world, and understands that prosperity comes with a price tag. The days of doing business with a smile and a handshake are over. No city flourishes by catering to freeloaders. Please keep that in mind before dishing out insults. I personally think toll roads should come to Roanoke. Richmond, Tidewater and NOVA have them, and they are milestones ahead of Roanoke in every category known to man. Roanoke (including Salem) will not move forward unless people, whether residents or city council, start thinking outside the box.
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cindysalem56 on 6/2/2007 9:54:14 AM wrote:
Shame on City Council and their elistist delusions of grandeur. Have they forgotten what made the market? The farmers and the average working folks.....DUH!!
Pay to park on Saturdays so some yuppie can have a nice parking garage at OUR expense?? No way....my money will stay in Salem. Here's an idea. Eliminate Darlene Burcham's job and send her back to Tidewater. More of the City's money has been wasted on her than just the salary she gets. I think she has succeeded in infecting city council with her clueless, hair-brained ideas.
Perhaps if the council quit wasting the City's money on studies like the Victory Stadium debacle, they could pay for that new garage and keep their hands out of our pockets.
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plumb65 on 6/1/2007 9:05:41 AM wrote:
When I was much younger (and much, much poorer), I would take my young son downtown as a treat. We might get some apples or some candy, little things, because it was cheap and I did not have to pay for parking. Going downtown on snow days was particularly lovely. I didn't spend much, but we always enjoyed it. If I had to pay, we wouldn't have gone. I make more money now, but if I had to pay to park - guess what - I wouldn't go.
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jus2kwik on 6/1/2007 8:22:50 AM wrote:
Of course the editor's of the Roanoke Times are in favor or a parking charge! What a surprise! They've never met a tax increase they didn't like, and would be absolutely ecstatic if gas were to cost five or six dollars per gallon tomorrow. It appears they are paid so well they just can't find enough ways to spend all that money. If that $7.2 million dollar garage between Salem and Campbell Avenues is to be used for yuppies moving into condos nearby, why exactly should you and I be thrilled to pay thier parking tab? I paid for the parking area (driveway) where I live. Is there something special about these condo dwellers that should make us want to pay for thiers?
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Callaway4 on 5/31/2007 4:02:05 PM wrote:
I hope this is just talk at the moment, with no real momentum behind it. It would be a shame to give people reason not to visit the downtown merchants.
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fairlight on 5/31/2007 2:49:02 PM wrote:
I enjoy going downtown especially to special events. I will not pay to park and have always used the free parking garages. And for Burcham's information not all of us eat at "Upscale" restaurants. Perhaps Burcham is out of touch with reality. Many of us aren't "upscale" folks, but we do spend our money downtown...very nice turn off...if the town bosses charge to park there will be one less family spending $$'s downtown.
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fdj124 on 5/31/2007 12:18:59 PM wrote:
It is ridiculous to pay to park downtown anytime. There is not anything down town that I would pay to park for anyway.
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Reedler on 5/31/2007 11:11:30 AM wrote:
I am a young professional in Roanoke that visits and supports it's nightlife weekly, for food, entertainment, and drinks. You actually have started to turn downtown around with new businesses and restaurants. However, this is like shooting your customers and tax revenue from downtown businesses in the foot. My co-workers and I purposely do not visit downtown daily for lunch because it is such a pain to park, and you have to pay. Maybe you should make all parking free downtown all the time and advertise it for a year. Then compare the additional tax revenue it generates from businesses from years in the past. I am sure the additional revenue would more than make up for a $2 parking fee.
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shazam on 5/31/2007 9:39:16 AM wrote:
Sign the petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/downtownroanokeparking/
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Curves4UsAll on 5/31/2007 8:32:15 AM wrote:
When you start charging to park I will stop going downtown. There are to many other places to shop & eat. I work where I see @ least 700 women a week and over 80% said it will stop them from going weekly sometimes daily to going monthly. Please think hard about this. There are so many things going on in the upcoming months that will lose out if parking fees are put into place.
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Connor on 5/31/2007 6:42:02 AM wrote:
How about a two hour free parking policy for weekends downtown? Park on the streets free and in the garages and lots for two hours free. One can have breakast or lunch and still have time to shop.
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DantheMan on 5/30/2007 9:17:45 PM wrote:
Just a bad idea. It's not much money, but it's a hassle to have to worry about having the cash on you, or dig through your change. I go to the Farmer's Market about once a month on Saturday, but maybe now I won't be bothered if there's going to be this annoyance. Ditto for our occasional weeknight or weekend restaurant trips downtown--why worry about parking when there are so many places to park for free in the area? We don't live in the city but we like to support downtown merchants as much as possible. The arguments the council members gave (except Mr. Lea) made little sense. I agree with Joe that they are probably hoping to snag art museum visitors. Bad idea for promoting downtown businesses!
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woodrow on 5/30/2007 7:31:34 PM wrote:
The only thing I come down on the market for is to visit w the farmers on Sat and buy from them....I want to know my money is going direct to the farmer w no overhead costs.....I would not pay the $2 to park on the city market. Remember it is called the Historial City Market and I bet if you trace it back it is the Farmer's that made the Market what it was in their day..I think it would be a shame to tamper with the Market and its Farmers in any way shape or form or to interfere w the people who still value their wares as well as the many crafters that particpate there too.
Others that go to the market are not going to pay to park to eat either..roanoke is full of resturants and they will go elsewhere to eat.
Wake up! People or the changes you make may bite you in the ass and cause less revenue to be spent downtown
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vthokieman on 5/30/2007 12:48:30 PM wrote:
Roanoke City just doesn't seem to get it with regards to parking. Not only did they eliminate a good half of the parking at the Civic Center by building a convention center that will scarcely be used, but now they are taking away the one thing downtown that is free. Just when I thought that downtown Roanoke was about to turn the corner with the market area starting to thrive, new shops and apartments being built, and organizations like the Square Society really supporting the arts through events like Affair in the Square and Microfestivus, they hit us with this. This is the same city that couldn't keep a hockey or basketball team due to high ticket prices. People value their money around here and will go elsewhere for entertainment.
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harshfie on 5/30/2007 12:34:14 PM wrote:
While a $2 fee is not a large fee, it sends the wrong message to the one thing our downtown needs to stay healthy: customers! Starting a parking fee provides the excuse for avoiding the downtown altogether, and it opens the door for future rate increases.
Let's keep a healthy and vibrant downtown by encouraging people to visit and shop. Let's avoid the $2 fee for nights and weekends!
jh
Roanoke City.
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Since1750s on 5/30/2007 11:21:00 AM wrote:
Over the years I go downtown less and less..and I live 18 blocks away..the expensive parking and lack of parking in general is the main reason...why go through all that hassle when I can go elsewhere and park free..The increased fee is just another nail in the coffin of downtown..Also eliminating after 6 free parking will hurt the little bit of nightlife there is in Roanoke.. the City will lose more in tax revenue than theyll gain in parking fees....unfortunately the merchants will lose as well..
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jus2kwik on 5/30/2007 8:22:35 AM wrote:
Two thoughts: Comparing Roanoke's parking situation to that of northern Va. or worse yet, L.A. is pointless. Those are urban areas where one may expect to pay more for everything, not just parking. As to parking on the street, I'm guessing we're speaking of parking between those signs that limit you to thirty minutes. What business can I take care of downtown in less than thirty minutes?
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Connor on 5/30/2007 7:31:53 AM wrote:
Downtown has not reached the critical mass to institute new parking charges or to increase parking charges. I think we are still in the developing stage of getting area folks to visit and shop downtown, therefore we should be offering free parking. Make up the difference in revenue first by combing thru the City budget to find ways to reduce duplications and waste and then, if needed, from increased taxes on increased sales resulting from free parking and a very very small increase in real estate, lodging, and/or meal taxes.
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outsider on 5/29/2007 11:21:42 PM wrote:
I'm interested in moving to Roanoke and have been for quite some time. Perhaps it's my lack of knowledge due to only being able to check this website once or twice a week, but I don't understand why city council thinks another parking garage is necessary if Vice Mayor Trinkle is correct in saying there's a parking surplus. Why expand if supply is outstripping demand?
Hmmm...maybe I'll run for city council. What are the residency requirements?
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ziranthia on 5/29/2007 9:44:43 PM wrote:
Oh my! Alright parking is such a monster! Charging $2 for parking. Get real. I remember spending $18 to park in Georgetown 15 years ago. Now I spend $5.80 on the Metro from Franconia/Springfield to Pentagon City, on top of $3.75 to park. $2 or $3 is nothing at all. If that kind of money is an issue, just don't go downtown. There's not much down there anyway. Also, if you work downtown, your employer should foot the bill for you to park. If not, find another job.
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Travelguy on 5/29/2007 8:06:10 PM wrote:
The U.S. is becoming a third world nation and Roanoke is just beginning to see some its signs. Live in Los Angeles for a while. If you aren't extemely rich you don't belong there. The country has become a nation of the rich and the poor. When will Roanoke ever figure it out that the world has changed. $2 is not too much to park downtown for the rich. Pretty soon, the "average Joe" of which there are many in Roanoke won't be able to do much at all except to watch TV(if they can afford cable). Its happening everywhere, not just here.
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GregSB on 5/29/2007 3:59:40 PM wrote:
Parking downtown regardless of what the consultants say can be tricky sometimes. Roanoke needs to stop all the taxing and cut down on all the welfare and social programs. My taxes in Roanoke have gone up over 35% in the last three years on my property. Roanoke City is looking more like a third world country not the "Star City". Go to Valley View Walmart on a Saturday Night. Now the very people that need to be downtown helping the city and it's business community will have to pay more.
This is what you get when you continue to elect tax and spend liberals and democrats to city government over and over again. I hope you are happy Roanoke!
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BettyJean1 on 5/29/2007 3:31:49 PM wrote:
I believe we already pay to much to park downtown. I work downtown and have to pay $75 a month. It is a shame what we have to pay to work downtown. If they start charging on the weekends and at night people are goiong to quit coming downtown, I know I would.
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scottrc on 5/29/2007 2:36:37 PM wrote:
Well, it's not like there's NO parking downtown outside of the garages. When stopping at the market square building or Tavern on the Market, I always find a spot on one of the side streets off campbell or at worst, on Church. I think that charging for garage parking is just another stupid way to raise a very small amount of money to offset their renovations costs without considering the consequences. If I go downtown, I'll just park on the street for free like I always do. If I have to walk, then that just helps get exercise! It's not like there's people stabbing each other down there, they leave that to the ghetto by Valley View.
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debo4nva on 5/29/2007 1:57:06 PM wrote:
I have daughters who work downtown. One who works full-time at Trio has to pay a weekly rate, although her employer helps off-set this fee. The other daughter, who is a college student and works part-time at Trio, in the evenings and on the weekends, can not afford to pay parking every day. She said she would have to park at our church on Elm Ave. and walk to Church St. Now isn't THAT a safe thing for a young lady to do?! I agree that a fee for parking on evenings and weekends is a bad idea. I don't see how this can help the downtown stay vibrant. It will chase away people who enjoy the market on the weekends and any young people who would like to work part-time there.
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shazam on 5/29/2007 10:55:10 AM wrote:
Sign the petition:
www.ipetitions.com/petition/downtownroanokeparking/
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soapdeli on 5/29/2007 10:41:32 AM wrote:
In response to: ChrisEllis on 5/29/2007 9:15:21 AM wrote:
I began avoiding downtown after our brilliant city leaders - ignoring the consults they paid for - decided to make all of the roads two-way. This hindered traffic and in some areas eliminated parking spaces. Now this. This puts the nail in the coffin. Was this Darlene's idea?
David Diaz, formerly of DRI, told me the two way street actually added several parking spaces so they came out ahead on parking. Apparently they were able to lose several taxi stands that the city didn't need.
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soapdeli on 5/29/2007 10:39:03 AM wrote:
I did a blog article about this myself last week: http://blog.roanokefarmersmarket.com/2007/05/21/new-parking-fees-to-be-introduced/
I interviewed local businesses, vendors, and consumers on the market. It appears council isn't listening to downtown businesses again as the number one complaint the business owners get is parking.
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TripleActionJones on 5/29/2007 10:35:36 AM wrote:
Well I suppose city council figured out a way to pay for all those consultants they hire.
Yeah,bad idea.
[b]Trinkle said. "It certainly should not be something that will keep people from going downtown."[/b]
Said the rich man to the peasant.
;)
[b]he said, adding that it may even raise awareness of the city's parking offerings.[/b]
Ah yes - as in 'aware that people won't feel like paying to park downtown.'
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dino68 on 5/29/2007 10:05:27 AM wrote:
It's rediculous to charge a fee for an area your trying to get people to visit more frequently. I, like the other person interviewed in the article, will go to Fresh Market for frest fruits & veggies where the parking is fee free.
Real good call guys, geees.
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shazam on 5/29/2007 9:59:33 AM wrote:
City Council does not know how to fiscally manage our local government. With the parking fees they must hire more people to collect the money and in some cases staff the booths. What little income they will receive they will be lost in a decrease in business taxes from downtown locations.
If they would do things to increase traffic they will make the money they need in business taxes.
The problem we have is an inept council. They HAVE NO IDEAS about the social and economic problems of our city. Populations is decreasing, the schools are a mess and their solution? TAX TAX TAX!
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ZONEBUSTER34 on 5/29/2007 9:55:08 AM wrote:
what is the purpose of the $2 parking for nights and weekends? Free parking is another way to keep people coming to downtown, but now a $2 fee, i know alot of people will not come downtown because of the $2 parking knowing you can drive a mile or two and park for free at any other restaurants at both malls.I personally will make my trips to downtown alot less,City of roanoke needs to rethink this $2 parking plan and stick with whats been working for sometime now, free parking on nights and weekends!!!
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jus2kwik on 5/29/2007 9:51:42 AM wrote:
Ok Roanoke, I'm curious. How do we find these people? Are we so inept that we elect incompetent people, or do we elect wise people who somehow lose all common sense once they begin the job? Has anyone checked city council chambers for lead paint or other environmental hazards that could possibly cause this?
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wmaxey on 5/29/2007 9:24:37 AM wrote:
Imagine wanting to attract folks to the downtown scene, but then charging them to park. One of the benefits to coming downtown at night was the free garage parking, as most of the garages are pretty convenient to the restaurants and bars. And, seriously, when does anyone ever have $2 in cash on hand?
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ChrisEllis on 5/29/2007 9:15:21 AM wrote:
I began avoiding downtown after our brilliant city leaders - ignoring the consults they paid for - decided to make all of the roads two-way. This hindered traffic and in some areas eliminated parking spaces. Now this. This puts the nail in the coffin. Was this Darlene's idea?
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Travelguy on 5/29/2007 9:12:17 AM wrote:
What is city council up to now? I remember a few years ago when the parking rates were increased at the civic center for hockey fans. I think that action helped the demise of hockey in Roanoke. Also, if one cannot afford the parking, what happens to the many events that go on downtown to the public? If downtown is perceived as too expensive to park, will businesses locate there? The private parking lot owners are already capitalizing on higher parking rates to attract those who can afford higher parking rates. I'm afraid our downtown will be perceived now as too expensive and the small restaurants, shops will be hurt the most.
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quincy1775 on 5/29/2007 8:35:11 AM wrote:
I avoided downtown Roanoke during the daytime because of parking issues and I really despise paying for it unless its metered anyway. If there are fees to garage park on nights and weekends, I'll probably stop coming to downtown at all. Great idea City Hall, keep 'em coming!
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old_curmudgeon on 5/29/2007 8:31:50 AM wrote:
There just is no end to the bad ideas coming out of City Hall. If anyone needed proof, this is it.
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jewimmer on 5/29/2007 7:50:23 AM wrote:
I LOVE the downtown area...I worked in an office downtown for 24 years and I dearly miss it. I think charging a parking fee is going to chase shoppers, especially local patrons, away to the malls. I cannot believe that the city government is going to destroy what has taken so long to build--attraction to the city market and surrounding shops. With gas being so high, who is going to be happy to dish out more (to park). I forgot, we are talking about the ROANOKE CITY GOVERNMENT!!
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jbc1013 on 5/29/2007 7:41:09 AM wrote:
Just another reason to avoid downtown. Why the inexorable path to change things for the worse?
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baileyd3 on 5/29/2007 7:31:06 AM wrote:
If there is a parking garage charge on Saturdays, I will not be going downtown to shop anymore. There are too many other options in and around Roanoke.
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