I have been attending the International Downtown Association Conference in New York and listening to the buzz about parking. In discussion after discussion the focus is on market rate pricing for downtown parking and how it can help revitalize the downtown area.
I have been one of Don Shoup’s disciples for a couple of years now and have given talks on the subject here and there (one of the "theres" was the IDA meeting this week. The room was full and engaged.
There is little question that the concept of market based pricing, returning money to the area from whence it came., and doing away with mandated parking requirements is catching on in cities and towns, big and small, across the land.
Although I expected some resistance, there was little if any. These folks, mostly heads of downtown associations, realize the benefits of cutting back cruising, having parking readily available, and generating considerable revenue to be used for revitalization, promotion, and alternate transportation.
Shoupistas seem to be everywhere, even when they don’t go by that name. Kim Jackson, Dennis Burns, and Linda Kauffman were in attendance and singing the praises of the concept. WOW!
JVH
