Chicago Parking Meters to go up

[arrfep]

(Inspired by rant on NYC driving taxes.)

This is so bogus. Time to move to Manhattan and save some dough.

Chicago Tribune

Aldermen approve Chicago parking meter lease
Posted by Dan Mihalopoulos and Hal Dardick at 10:37 a.m.; last updated at 11:45 a.m.

Parking meter rates will increase next month after the Chicago City Council today overwhelmingly approved Mayor Richard Daley's plan to lease the spots to a private firm for 75 years in return for a one-time payment of nearly $1.2 billion.

Some neighborhood parking meter rates will quadruple next month. Neighborhood spots that used to cost a quarter an hour will cost $1 an hour---and jump to $2 an hour in 2013. The top meter rates in the Loop will increase from $3 to $3.50 an hour, rising to $6.50 an hour in 2013. Chicago will have some of the highest parking meter rates in the nation.

Aldermen spent more than an hour debating Daley's plan before approving it 40-5, just two days after Daley unveiled it. Voting against were Alds. Toni Preckwinkle (4th), Leslie Hairston (5th), Billy Ocasio (26th), Scott Waguespack (32nd) and Rey Colon (35th). Preckwinkle said she did not have enough time to review the deal. Mayoral aides briefed aldermen on Tuesday. But Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), who backs the deal, said 72 hours was enough time to review it.

"How many of us read the stuff we do get, OK?," Mell said. "I try to. I try to. I try to. But being realistic, being realistic, it's like getting your insurance policy. It's small print, OK?" Ocasio (26th) cited the impact on working people.
"I'm sorry, but there are too many people in our city living paycheck to paycheck," he said. Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th) said that as a restaurant owner, turnover at meters is good for business.
"I truly believe the city is undermetered," he said. "Meters are for economic activity. They are to promote small business." Tunney said he does not know how history will judge the 75-year lease, but, "this value in today's market is an unbelievable deal."
City officials have said the meter rate hikes will go into effect Jan. 1, but that it will take some time to adjust all the meters.

 

[CptCrunch]

repost

 

[zinfamous]

LoL. Daley leasing city property for cash.

will shiesters never cease?

 

[Black88GTA]

Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th) said that as a restaurant owner, turnover at meters is good for business.

So...one of the people voting on this issue owns a restaurant that will directly benefit if it passes? Conflict of interest much?

And - how can $6.50 / hr parking benefit small business? If anything, that will discourage people from going to those areas, and cause them to either go somewhere within walking distance or find a place that doesn't have astronomical parking rates. In cases of retail establishments, people will just drive a bit further outside the city, or buy everything online.

If anything, dropping the parking rates would be beneficial to small business.

 

[arrfep]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th) said that as a restaurant owner, turnover at meters is good for business.

So...one of the people voting on this issue owns a restaurant that will directly benefit if it passes? Conflict of interest much?

And - how can $6.50 / hr parking benefit small business? If anything, that will discourage people from going to those areas, and cause them to either go somewhere within walking distance or find a place that doesn't have astronomical parking rates. In cases of retail establishments, people will just drive a bit further outside the city, or buy everything online.

If anything, dropping the parking rates would be beneficial to small business.

I just think it's ironic that the lifeless steel poles outside those restaurants will be making more per hour than the guys that wash the dishes in the back.

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
how can $6.50 / hr parking benefit small business? If anything, that will discourage people from going to those areas, and cause them to either go somewhere within walking distance or find a place that doesn't have astronomical parking rates. In cases of retail establishments, people will just drive a bit further outside the city, or buy everything online.

it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Daley wants less traffic. Up next: $10 toll to enter and leave city limits.

 

[God Mode]

I would love 6.50 an hour parking in manhattan. Sure beats jackasses that park their cars and take up the spot all day. Cheaper than a valet/indoor parking service too. I don't want any pablos to do a ferris bueller on me.

 

[sourceninja]

Could be worse, they could have their own parking authority tv show...

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: sourceninja
Could be worse, they could have their own parking authority tv show...

Well in Chicago they would get shot to fast to replace them so it wouldn't last a season.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th) said that as a restaurant owner, turnover at meters is good for business.

So...one of the people voting on this issue owns a restaurant that will directly benefit if it passes? Conflict of interest much?

And - how can $6.50 / hr parking benefit small business? If anything, that will discourage people from going to those areas, and cause them to either go somewhere within walking distance or find a place that doesn't have astronomical parking rates. In cases of retail establishments, people will just drive a bit further outside the city, or buy everything online.

If anything, dropping the parking rates would be beneficial to small business.

Dropping the parking rates will not benefit small businesses. People can't park in spots that are already occupied, and lower rates mean more occupied spaces. A spot that is in an area that could generate revenue at $6.50 is going to be occupied ALL the time at a low rate.

it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Daley wants less traffic. Up next: $10 toll to enter and leave city limits.

Sucks for him that Chicago isn't on an island.

 

[MikeMike]

Chicago is one of the only cities I have been to outside of the Bay area, that is setup to allow minimal commuting TO and FROM the city.. Metra, trains, etc. not to mention cabs, it just seems like a very easy city to commute to/from without actually driving your car there...

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th) said that as a restaurant owner, turnover at meters is good for business.

So...one of the people voting on this issue owns a restaurant that will directly benefit if it passes? Conflict of interest much?

And - how can $6.50 / hr parking benefit small business? If anything, that will discourage people from going to those areas, and cause them to either go somewhere within walking distance or find a place that doesn't have astronomical parking rates. In cases of retail establishments, people will just drive a bit further outside the city, or buy everything online.

If anything, dropping the parking rates would be beneficial to small business.

Dropping the parking rates will not benefit small businesses. People can't park in spots that are already occupied, and lower rates mean more occupied spaces. A spot that is in an area that could generate revenue at $6.50 is going to be occupied ALL the time at a low rate.

[/quote]

There needs to be a balance...rates high enough so that people don't hog the spot all day, but low enough that people will not avoid the places completely because of ridiculous parking costs. $6.50/hr is well into "ridiculous parking costs" territory, IMO. That would be enough for a lot of people to say "F it, we're going somewhere else." $3.00 - $3.50 / hr would be far more reasonable, while still providing enough of an incentive to move the car once your business is finished.

 

[IEC]

Edit: replied to wrong thread

 

[chuckywang]

It all depends on how long people in Chicago are willing to put up with the hassle.

 

[BoomerD]

Meh...$6.50/hr? kwitcherbitchen!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/...g+meters&sn=004&sc=287

"Parking at a curbside meter in San Francisco could cost up to $18 an hour - or drop as low as 25 cents - under an experimental plan approved Tuesday at City Hall to set rates based on demand."

"For example, the hourly meter cost would fluctuate between 25 cents and $6. However, during special events, such as large concerts, ballgames and street festivals, the charge could go as high as $18. Currently, meters cost $1.50 to $3 an hour, depending on the neighborhood."


I'm happy as hell I rarely have to go into San Francisco. If the traffic isn't bad enough for ya, parking, which already sux, is ready to get nasty expensive.

(Actually, the rate is supposed to peak at $6/hr except during special events...when that rate will triple to ?$18)

It sux, no matter how you look at it. WE pay for the dammed roads, THEY get to rape us for parking on them...

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Ald. Thomas Tunney (44th) said that as a restaurant owner, turnover at meters is good for business.

So...one of the people voting on this issue owns a restaurant that will directly benefit if it passes? Conflict of interest much?

And - how can $6.50 / hr parking benefit small business? If anything, that will discourage people from going to those areas, and cause them to either go somewhere within walking distance or find a place that doesn't have astronomical parking rates. In cases of retail establishments, people will just drive a bit further outside the city, or buy everything online.

If anything, dropping the parking rates would be beneficial to small business.

Dropping the parking rates will not benefit small businesses. People can't park in spots that are already occupied, and lower rates mean more occupied spaces. A spot that is in an area that could generate revenue at $6.50 is going to be occupied ALL the time at a low rate.

There needs to be a balance...rates high enough so that people don't hog the spot all day, but low enough that people will not avoid the places completely because of ridiculous parking costs. $6.50/hr is well into "ridiculous parking costs" territory, IMO. That would be enough for a lot of people to say "F it, we're going somewhere else." $3.00 - $3.50 / hr would be far more reasonable, while still providing enough of an incentive to move the car once your business is finished.

The balance point is going to be the point that maximizes revenue for the company that leased the meters, because maximizing revenues means that:
1. There are not excessive empty spots
2. The spots are not full 100% of the time.

If the spots are always full, that means people are being turned away from spots that they might be willing to pay more for. If there are excessive empty spots, that means people might be willing to park in those spots if they cost less. The operating cost is minimal, and they have competition, so they can't maximize profit by operating a small number of spots at a higher price. They need the spots to be 90% full to maximize revenue.

 

[Vette73]

I hate these XX year leases. If they 5-10years ok. But when it goes 75 years then there will always be problems. Then the lease holder sues, city sues back, and in the end the city spends more then it takes in after everything.


This is the mess that got GM in trouble. They kept giving money out to employees, top and bottom, and years/decades later they are still feeling those decisions.

 

[Gibson486]

wow...that is alot....that is pretty much paying a meter minimum wage.

 

[waggy]

good part is the company that is getting the rights to the meters (for next 75 yrs) has dalay's nephew at the head of it (or something like that)

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Chicago is one of the only cities I have been to outside of the Bay area, that is setup to allow minimal commuting TO and FROM the city.. Metra, trains, etc. not to mention cabs, it just seems like a very easy city to commute to/from without actually driving your car there...

exactly, i never drive anywhere in chicago.

 

[eleison]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Chicago is one of the only cities I have been to outside of the Bay area, that is setup to allow minimal commuting TO and FROM the city.. Metra, trains, etc. not to mention cabs, it just seems like a very easy city to commute to/from without actually driving your car there...

exactly, i never drive anywhere in chicago.

This is gay. As a republican living in a democratic, corrupt run city of Chicago, I wish I could sell my condo and live in the suburbs. Between the stop light cameras that force you to stop abruptly, the meters going up, and the various taxes -- the city is nickel and diming its citizens to death.

Just today, my parents called and told me they just received a fine from the Illinois tollway for $250 for missing 3 tolls within the past 2 years. My parents didn't have any change at the time and they are pretty old... they kinda remember something about going online to pay them, but they never got the message that they only had 7 days to do it. You know how old people are.

Major Daley, Rob Blagojevich -- you guys all suck.. I'm glad I voted for Topinka and I hope all the freaking corrupt democrats in chicago get voted out of office the next election.

 

[ric1287]

Originally posted by: waggy
good part is the company that is getting the rights to the meters (for next 75 yrs) has dalay's nephew at the head of it (or something like that)

did they turn down a billion+ offer from somewhere else?

I'll take this over tax increases any day. People driving+parking in the loop should have cash anyway.

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: eleison

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Chicago is one of the only cities I have been to outside of the Bay area, that is setup to allow minimal commuting TO and FROM the city.. Metra, trains, etc. not to mention cabs, it just seems like a very easy city to commute to/from without actually driving your car there...

exactly, i never drive anywhere in chicago.

This is gay. As a republican living in a democratic, corrupt run city of Chicago, I wish I could sell my condo and live in the suburbs. Between the stop light cameras that force you to stop abruptly, the meters going up, and the various taxes -- the city is nickel and diming its citizens to death.

Just today, my parents called and told me they just received a fine from the Illinois tollway for $250 for missing 3 tolls within the past 2 years. My parents didn't have any change at the time and they are pretty old... they kinda remember something about going online to pay them, but they never got the message that they only had 7 days to do it. You know how old people are.

Major Daley, Rob Blagojevich -- you guys all suck.. I'm glad I voted for Topinka and I hope all the freaking corrupt democrats in chicago get voted out of office the next election.

While I won't defend the nature of Chicago politics, you're complaining about red light cameras which are always preceded by yellow lights and your parents getting fined got not paying tolls? Give me a break.

Also, if you don't live in the burbs, stop driving your car around!

 

[thegimp03]

Wow, and I thought paying $0.25 every 5 minutes the other day in SF was ridiculous.

 

[LTC8K6]

A few toll roads and tunnels have been leased to private companies.

The first thing they do when they get control is to jack up the rates.

It's a stupid move by cities to get a little quick cash.