Parking Meters

[Maverick]

I wanted to run this by the forum. I have an issue with some of the parking meters downtown, and was wondering if anyone here agreed with me. First of all, it is my understanding that the main intent of a parking meter is make it difficult for someone to squat in a parking spot all day, thus increasing foot traffic for merchants. Secondly, I assume that meters provide some small amount of revenue. The parking meters I have an issue with run along Farnam from 9th to 10th, outside of the Greenhouse. Mostly, I detest them because I, or my girlfriend, keep getting parking tickets. Let me explain why. There is a garage next door, but half of those spots are owned by RDG, the design firm on the lower level. This leaves approximately half of the spots for the apartments. Thus, it's a full garage, and the Greenhouse only allows one spot per apartment ($80/month on top of rent). Since approximately half of the apartments in the Greenhouse are 2 or 3 bedrooms, this FORCES people to park on the street. The parking meters start running at 8:30. Twice in the last week, my girlfriend has received parking tickets, both times leaving my apartment by 8:45.

When think about this more, I came to the conclusion that there's no reason for meters there. It is clearly a residential block. During the day, the only vehicles parked there are related to the Greenhouse, mostly commercial vehicles like carpet cleaners and the like. If you walk down the block on any given day, you're likely to see only 5 or 6 vehicles parked on the block, and 2 or 3 of them will have parking tickets.

Since there are no merchants on the block, and the only revenue being drawn are from parking tickets on residents’ cars or commercial vehicles that are forced to park there, am I crazy to think they are inappropriately placed? Or at the least, that they should start running after 9:00 (maybe 9:30 or 10:00) so that people who go to work by 9 don't get tickets at 8:31? Especially since we're forced to park there?

Just my 2 cents (and my rant). I am interested to hear if anyone agrees or disagrees with me. If the consensus is that I have valid points, what can I do about it?

Thanks,
Maverick

[icejammer]

First of all, it is my understanding that the main intent of a parking meter is make it difficult for someone to squat in a parking spot all day, thus increasing foot traffic for merchants. Secondly, I assume that meters provide some small amount of revenue.

That is probably one reason for meters. Another reason would be for traffic control, as "free" spaces downtown are at a premium and you would have downtown workers "lurking" your block all day looking for that last available free spot. The city also has a vested interest in parking revenues with it's garages, and is not going to subvert demand by having free spots all over town wherever there might be some people living. According to City Budget estimates, parking meters generate about $1.4 million in revenue.

[jsheets]

I feel your pain. They wouldn't put meters on my resedential street in the burbs, so why put one in front of your residential building? It might cause problems with all the events at the Qwest though, but I'm just brainstorming...

So yes, I agree with you...

[MTO]

Go buy a plasma torch and take them down…. heh

[adam186]

I feel for ya man. Is there any parking garages or surface lots nearby that offer monthly parking fees? Maybe that could be a solution to your problem. Just trying to help you out.

[Maverick]

Not having the meters wouldn't affect the events at the Q, at least not much. The vast majority of those are nights and weekends, when metered spots become free. At nights and on weekends, those spots are all full, either by residends, or by those attending events at the Q. Which is another problem... a 6:00 game can mean good luck parking anywhere near your home if you leave work after 5:00 (as I always do), but that's a different issue, and a tradeoff I'm willing to make for living downtown and so close to things like the Q. I'm not trying to say that I deserve free parking. I just don't want to run downstairs and plug a meter to get 15 minutes when I'm trying to get ready in the morning. Especially since I'm already running late... every day

[jsheets]

You might have a shot at convincing the DT Omaha City Councilman (name escapes me) to petition to not start those in front of your building until after 9 or 10 AM. Makes plenty of sense to us, that's for sure!

And will make sense for all of the condos that are soon to open down around there...

[Finn]

I have a Rows at Soma unit for sale where you and your girlfriend would have free parking in your own garage!!!!!

I think the biggest reason for your parking situation is that the city is trying to make money off residents. The same thing is common here in DC. In fact, if I am on the streets around my building in downtown DC during rush hour, $100 ticket and the prospect of being towed! And that starts at 7am!

[Swift]

I know how you feel. While they don't have parking meters infront of my apartment, they do street cleaning (each side of the street is cleaned on a different day, often at different times). I think SF milked about $700 from me before I got the schedule down.

It's pretty ridiculous, because my neighborhood is one of the nicer ones and there is rarely any trash or dirt on the roads.

[nebugeater]

It's pretty ridiculous, because my neighborhood is one of the nicer ones and there is rarely any trash or dirt on the roads.

Probably because of the street cleaning!!!

[Swift]

Nah, there's no dirt or trash to begin with.

[almighty_tuna]

I'm right with ya, Maverick. I was parked at about 11th and Farnam at 9:50am on a workday for a shoot at the slides. Out of the 70 spots along that two or three block side of the street along the Mall there were about 15-20 in use. Parking meter expired at 9:58, ticket received at 10:03 and I had returned to my car by 10:15. Clearly this is 100% about revenue as there's no shortage of spots.

[Big E]

They probably figured you were feeding the homeless. ;)

-Big E

[Coyote]

Parking meters could be coming to Benson, South 24th Street in Omaha



The City of Omaha is considering adding parking meters in Benson and South Omaha. Councilmember Pete Festersen says there would need to be a clear consensus before the council would move on it.

[Jins123]

Parking meters could be coming to Benson, South 24th Street in Omaha



The City of Omaha is considering adding parking meters in Benson and South Omaha. Councilmember Pete Festersen says there would need to be a clear consensus before the council would move on it.

Why not Aksarben too, while we’re at it

[Athomsfere]

Parking meters could be coming to Benson, South 24th Street in Omaha



The City of Omaha is considering adding parking meters in Benson and South Omaha. Councilmember Pete Festersen says there would need to be a clear consensus before the council would move on it.

I'm all for this. It's obvious there isn't enough parking for the area. Throw in the meters, and maybe more people who could walk, bike, bus, or uber in will.

[Coyote]

Benson business owners split on adding parking meters to the district



The plan would allow for free parking in the back of businesses, but some business owners believe the plan would force their employees to park on the street.

[mistergutierrez]

In my hometown we also have parking meters, but, if you area a resident, you can get a sticker from the city for your car, so you are exempted of pay for parking in your neighborhood.
If the city wants to promote a core with higher density, it should start by making life easier for the people that live in it.

[Busguy2010]

In my hometown we also have parking meters, but, if you area a resident, you can get a sticker from the city for your car, so you are exempted of pay for parking in your neighborhood.
If the city wants to promote a core with higher density, it should start by making life easier for the people that live in it.

I like that idea a lot. As it is, it already has to be hard enough for people living on the neighborhood streets to find street parking just to go home on a Friday or Saturday night. I definitely think the main strip of Benson should have metered parking, as well as a block in every direction.

[nebugeater]

In my hometown we also have parking meters, but, if you area a resident, you can get a sticker from the city for your car, so you are exempted of pay for parking in your neighborhood.
If the city wants to promote a core with higher density, it should start by making life easier for the people that live in it.

I like that idea a lot. As it is, it already has to be hard enough for people living on the neighborhood streets to find street parking just to go home on a Friday or Saturday night. I definitely think the main strip of Benson should have metered parking, as well as a block in every direction.

It kind of defeats the purpose of turning over the parking spots.

[Busguy2010]

It kind of defeats the purpose of turning over the parking spots.

So you think it would make the neighborhood parking situation worse because people wouldn't want to pay the $2 some odd dollars for a bar crawl in Benson? I suppose I wouldn't put it past people.

[Louie]

It kind of defeats the purpose of turning over the parking spots.

So you think it would make the neighborhood parking situation worse because people wouldn't want to pay the $2 some odd dollars for a bar crawl in Benson? I suppose I wouldn't put it past people.

I think he was suggesting that all of the meters would be taken up by residents, rather than patrons. Therefore the turnover would be much less and equate to much less overall profit on the meters.

[Busguy2010]

It kind of defeats the purpose of turning over the parking spots.

I think he was suggesting that all of the meters would be taken up by residents, rather than patrons. Therefore the turnover would be much less and equate to much less overall profit on the meters.

Oh, I see. In that case, I still have my doubts that would be a big problem cause you can definitely see the difference in influx of patrons on a Friday or Saturday night taking up parking on a street such as 61st Ave, vs, a Tuesday night for instance.

[Coyote]

City of Omaha, bid considers implementing paid parking

[iamjacobm]

This is a new twist.

[Linkin5]

Between this and GA tickets disappearing, average fan getting squeezed pretty good lately.

[skinzfan23]

wow, that is ridiculous. Does parking in the parking lot even cost that much?

[Brad]

wow, that is ridiculous. Does parking in the parking lot even cost that much?

Can you even buys spots in the lot anymore or are they all pre-sold?

To be fair, I saw these meter spots yesterday and they are probably closer than some of the further out spots in the lots.

[skinzfan23]

Probably all pre-sold, but what is the going rate for a concert or Creighton game in the lots, $15?

[Brad]

Probably all pre-sold, but what is the going rate for a concert or Creighton game in the lots, $15?

Couldn't tell you. If I don't have a pass, I just walk and complain about it... Like you will see me doing the next 10 days...

[skinzfan23]

Couldn't tell you. If I don't have a pass, I just walk and complain about it... Like you will see me doing the next 10 days...

For Creighton games I usually just park by Pettit's and walk over, the meters there are only $.25/hr