Photo by mattlehrer.

Why parking is not like ice cream

Why don’t downtown business districts give people free gas to shop downtown? Sound like a crazy idea? Then why do so many businesses argue for free parking? Ian Sacs gives a good overview of Shoupism. (Planetizen)  

The high cost of Rockville garages

Rockville can’t decide what to do about their $36 million Town Center garages, which aren’t paying for themselves despite rosy predictions during initial planning. The city is spending almost a million dollars a year of taxpayer money paying for the garages, but businesses are resistant to extending the $1/hour charge from 7 pm to 10 pm. The article doesn’t specify how full the garages are during these times. (The Sentinel via FLOG)  

The high cost of free evening parking

Meanwhile, the City of Sacramento is considering extending its downtown metered parking hours past 6 pm, in an effort to reduce cruising and pollution, and to attempt to drive some people into off-street lots that currently charge $2-10 per night.  According to the city, the on-street spaces are 98% full on Friday evenings with nearby off-street parking empty.  Businesses are unsurprisingly cold to the idea. (Sacramento Bee, Michael P)  (Tip: Michael P)  

Vote Wonder Woman

It’s just for fun, but the New Organizing Institute’s mock DC election is more and more hinging on whether enforcing street cleaning rules makes sense. Take a moment from your slow Friday afternoon and Vote Wonder Woman for Mayor of DC in the mock election. She also supports streetcars.