Life Without Parking Meters: Savannah

[vicupstate]

A booming tax base DT would more than make up for a loss of revenue from parking meters and tickets.  Increased property taxes, sales taxes, business licenses, etc. would easily dwarf whatever revenues that would be lost.  And there is an expense to parking revenue collection, it's not all profit to begin with.

[jbm32206]

Never suggested it was all profit...and yes, it would certainly help if downtown were actually a thriving one...and if it were, then all that you mentioned would most certainly make up lost revenue from meters...but until then...what would? As I said, I'm not a supporter of meters, I hate them like everyone else...however, common sense says that in order to rid the city of them, something must take the place of the source of revenue they bring in. Without knowing how much that is, we can only speculate. It's easy to say get rid of them, but it's not always easy to find a reasonable replacement to replace the money generated from them.

Now if it having them, it costs more for enforcing, collecting, etc then getting rid of them is a reasonable solution. Personally, I can't imagine that it could be very much, as we don't have a booming downtown

[Shwaz]

would be beneficial, no?

Personally I don't think it's big deal... parking meters are mildly inconvenient. Also, the busiest retail days are during the weekend when parking is free downtown. Even during the week the meters are free after 6 when many could shop after work.

Even this hailed street in Savannah has its problems and inconveniences... the chances of finding parking on a busy strip like this is slim to none and you'll end up parking in a pay by the hour garage or a block or two off with metered parking.

I think JaxNative has a better understanding with

The main problem I see with downtown Jacksonville, and maybe I’m missing the point, is the poor zoning codes and enforcement that have enabled the majority of retail and commercial businesses to move out of downtown and to the vast acreage of office parks, strip malls and pseudo town centers that have sprung up throughout the immense square miles we call Jacksonville over the years since the early 70’s.

[BridgeTroll]

Your right JBM... Lake, Ock or Stephen probably have the figures...  Dont forget Shwaz... COJ wants to begin enforceing metered parking 24/7/365...

[Shwaz]

COJ wants to begin enforceing metered parking 24/7/365

Horrible idea by the city as no one actually comes downtown on the weekends. There's no draw besides a few scattered bars and 10 weeks of football... which always cracked me up as I would park downtown at Forsyth and Newman St for free. The funny part being there was multiple pay lots ($15) all right next to my free on street parking.

[aj_fresh]

COJ wants to begin enforceing metered parking 24/7/365

I would park downtown at Forsyth and Newman St for free. The funny part being there was multiple pay lots ($15) all right next to my free on street parking.

I did this for the Gator Bowl for the first time. It was awesome. However, I do like to tailgate for the Jags so I prob don't need to be drinking and cooking on the street

[jbm32206]

COJ wants to begin enforceing metered parking 24/7/365...

That's total crap and shouldn't be allowed at all. Even the major cities don't enforce it like that.

[urbanlibertarian]

Meters pay for parking enforcement and admin.  Without meters we would still need enforcement of the time limits but no coin collection or meter maintenance.  Enforcement and remaining admin would have to be paid for by taxes or fees.  Therefore until the economy recovers we're probably stuck with meters.

[RiversideGator]

Here is an idea.  Convert all streets to diagonal parking wherever possible thereby doubling the number of available parking spots at least.  Pull out all of the meters downtown and sell them for scrap.  Then, fire 3/4 of the parking enforcement clowns.  And finally, the remainder of the Parking Enforcement division would be charged with enforcing the new 2 hours of free on street parking rule.  Free parking works everywhere else.  Freedom can work downtown too. 

BTW, the workers in San Marco and Riverside and Avondale do not park in front of their own stores (a common argument against allowing this).  The reason is the 2 hour limits which exist there and they do not want to take up spots for their potential customers.  So, in short, let people park where they want.  When and if parking spot shortages become an issue, the free market will step in and some intrepid capitalist will come in and build a garage.

[urbanlibertarian]

RG, I agree completely.  Freedom is almost always my default position.  I just don't see COJ giving up any revenue sources in the near future.