The city of Wilmington (NC) is considering removing its parking enforcement during periods when major events are taking place in its downtown area. These events bring about 70,000 people downtown during weekends and I guess the city feels like it would be “nice” to provide free parking to those folks.
I could comment but this one on the C-Park list server says it better than I:
.. the laws of supply and demand are universal. We have a “festival” here seven weekends every fall that draws 85,000 plus. We have aggressively RAISED our rates for this to promote car-pooling and ridesharing and it is working. We also provide an extensive network of transit shuttles so people have the “free” option. Part of the revenues generated by INCREASING the day rate can pay for the shuttles. When you charge $10-$25 for a space you rarely see a single-occupant vehicle and you effectively reduce your parking and traffic problems. Suspending enforcement or providing “free” parking for special events is counterproductive to everyone.
Nuff said
JVH
