I live in a small City of 45,000. The old Main St.- “downtown” area is absolutely beautiful after a very recent renovation which actually has been very well received by almost everyone involved. Patrons and every shop owner I encounter like our now hip little city.
Main St. Concord NH has tons of new patron activity thanks to the freshen up. A HUGE new parking garage was recently added to our awesome city .This is (I believe) in addition to the upgrades of one of the existing garages…those upgrades… The cost? $35,000 per space. or 5.3 MILLION DOLLARS.
The city just received one estimate to refurnish one of the older garages .Only 7 million dollars. In a recent conversation one shop owner expressed how he thought ANOTHER parking garage would help ease the parking issue. Adding another parking garage to handle the massive over use of cars in the city is no more the correct answer than being in debt way beyond your means thinking the answer is obtaining another to “help”.
Parking on Main St is $ 1 hour Cash or charge at the meter – IF you can get a spot. And you best get a spot.
A legal one.
The meter maids …you know(don’t miss that game!)
It was not until we that I actually became aware of just how much of a total pain in the ass parking is around here. And its not just here- its every city. When you own a car parking it is a project!
You dont even really think twice about that when its your norm.
To the parking point- there are literally thousands of No Parking signs! More of those than ANY other sign. I literally cannot find a single space available that does not have a NO parking sign OR a PAY meter! To me, these signs are written reminders of how messed up things can get when we over use our cars.
Saturday afternoon “bliss” in downtown Concord.
The City likes it! ($$)
Parking “enforcement” is a wonderful business model! They have several “company cars” (parking enforcement SUV’s) , a growing number of employees (meter maids) admin, techs to keep the meters collecting your hard earned- easy burned money.
Business is booming!
You park in the garage- they get your money.
You park on the street -They get your money. Y
ou park in a “no parking zone?
JACKPOT!
You get ticketed, AND towed the city (AND the towing company) gets your money- and If you dont pay?
They take your drivers license.
And then the bonus round …..they GET LOTS of your money!
As a CRAZY and UN American alternative-
You “could” bike around your city??
Get some fresh air.
And maybe a fresh …….perspective?
Welcome to the R3volution.
You are NOT Alone!
-Scott