Leasing Public Space for Parking

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Parking Meters and the Perils of Privatization (Urbanophile, Aug. 22, 2010)

Today’s review article looks at the consequences of very long term leases for parking meters which lock cities into policies that may and probably will become unsustainable. It suggests innovative use of public space for parking with examples from New York City and San Francisco.

Key Quotes:

“there is an enormous structural incentive for mayors who operate on a four year election cycle to grab that pot of money, even if it means signing a bad deal”

“The main problem with the parking meter lease is that it locks the city into a particular policy structure on parking for the next 75 years.. In order to get someone to pay $1 billion up front, you have to give them certainty as to the quantity, location, hours, and rates of the meters…Chicago has irrevocably set public policy with regards to parking for the next 75 years.”

“if the city wants to change policy, it has to pay dearly for the privilege. Being broke, it can’t afford to”

“pop-up sidewalk cafes.. involves re-purposing some parking spots on a seasonable basis for a temporary sidewalk cafe installation.. NYC went from concept to implementation in just one month. Now, maybe they are possibly losing some meter money from space removal.”

“San Francisco is rolling out high tech meters..that will enable it to dynamically change pricing in order to maintain 80% parking occupancy at all times.. it not only ensures that limited parking spots are used in the most economically efficient way possible, it also depoliticizes parking rates”

“Fixed pricing for parking is on the way out.. As for parking garages,.. it’s clear that private enterprise will spend their own money to provide that service.”

“two kinds of cities: those who who sold off a long term property right interest in their on street parking – which is to say, in the most important component of their city’s public space – and those who didn’t”

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