Shoup on Parking in Tacoma
We had the opportunity to enjoy Professor Donald Shoup’s multi-media presentation on “The High Cost of Free Parking” at UWT this morning …
If ample free parking were the key to economic success, Tacoma would be the richest city in the U.S.
Shoup’s premise begins with the thesis that parking is never really free. Certainly the car-centric suburban world may be prolific, but it isn’t, he claims, sustainable. American drivers park free at the end of 99% of their trips. However, the cost may be hidden in the rents, via lower wages, or in slightly higher costs for products and services. Even if the cost is hidden, the price is still there. Plus, he asserts, many parking requirements are arbitrary or simply copy someone else’s parking requirement. While the city code is quite specific, do city planners really know how many stalls a car wash, day care, or restaurant needs?
Shoup’s presentation included examples from around downtown Tacoma. He showed aerial photos of St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Hotel Murano, and Tacoma Mall. The room laughed at the “unimproved parking area” near The Swiss – something the professor claims he’s never seen before. Finally, he used scanned images from the City’s own code to provide further examples.
From these premises, Shoup offered three reforms in parking policy:
- Use “performance base pricing” to determine the right price for curb parking. The lowest price that still maintains some vacancy – 1 or 2 spots per block is good.
- Return the meter revenue to the neighborhoods that generate it. This model makes the parking policy political palatable.
- Reduce or remove off street parking requirements. This makes the reuse of historic buildings more feasible and drives denser development.
Shoup discounts the fear that parking meters will scare away customers. The 85% occupancy rate means that the curb space will be well used but readily available. Plus, spending the meter revenue on public improvements will attract more customers.
“Would you rather have free parking and dirty sidewalks or clean sidewalks and paid parking?”
We saw a number of you there this morning. What do you get from the conversation? Are you convinced yet?
Filed under: transportation, dowtown-tacoma
10 comments
E Erik B. July 29, 2009
If ample free parking were the key to economic success, Tacoma would be the richest city in the U.S.
Ouch.
Let’s hope city officials will listen to Shoup and others trying the breathe some life into the city.
S Squid July 29, 2009
If you ask people to pay for parking downtown nobody will go there… oh wait…
D Davest July 29, 2009
Work takes me downtown every day. I’d much prefer running out and feeding the meter than spending the time and fuel looping the block.
D drizell July 29, 2009
Good to hear that Shoup actually seemed to know what city he was in, unlike Kunstler. The local (downtown and Hilltop) examples probably made a really good case.
T tacoma1 July 29, 2009
Just curious, as I was unable to attend. Was there any City Council members in attendance, or any City of Tacoma officials?
D Derek staff July 29, 2009
Was there any City Council members in attendance, or any City of Tacoma officials?
City of Tacoma was one of the organizers and the public event was immediately followed by a staff presentation with Professor Shoup. From memory … the Director of Public Works, Director of Economic Development, City Manager, Deputy City Managers, and a fair amount of staff were there. I don’t recall any Councilmembers – although there was some candidate representation.
R RR Anderson July 29, 2009
did TV Tacoma film it?
D David Koch July 30, 2009
I would also love to see a video if it exists.
I ingrid walker July 30, 2009
I’m new in town and have lived in thriving cities of this size, smaller, and larger across the country. Tacoma might be in the last 10% of cities this size without paid parking.
The right to park in front of your destination has great costs, as well. Is there an article or white paper on the parking issue as it relates to the other suggestions to broaden service of the Link? Is there a proposal to do some metered parking, open up garage access, use some of the great architectural drawing suggestions on this site about creating more pedestrian space…in short, is there a city plan that articulates parking as part of the larger picture?
I really like this town. And as someone who works downtown, I’d like to see downtown thrive. It will, when the system of transport and the alchemy of shops is coordinated and people realize that giving up parking right in front of your bank might bring some bigger payoff.
M Morty August 2, 2009
Free parking is no good if it doesn’t give visitors enough time to take care of business.
I manage an office tower on Pacific and parking is a real challenge when it comes to attracting tenants. The constant complaint is that the 1/2 hr or 1 hour free street spots don’t allow enough time for meetings or interacting with visitors and clients. Tenants, working all day, can’t move their cars every hour and typically sign up for parking at the North Garage for $ 137 a month per car-That’s not free! To save cost a few employees whose companies can’t or won’t pay for parking park in cheaper lots outside the CBD and walk or take the street car in—I bet that’s great for employee morale!
When the so called free parking is factored in, time and time again prospects choose office space outside of D. T. where ample parking is included in the rent and is right outside the front door.
In fact, If I don’t sign some new leases soon I will recommend bulldozing the building and turn it into a parking lot, Diamond and Republic Parking seem to be the only landlords Downtown with tenants.