Donald Shoup's talk last night was pretty interesting. I wonder if his book would offer any suggestions.

Ben, isn't it possible that Upper State Street's adamant opposition to market pricing for parking is a little out of date? Shoup suggested that retail districts should define a target vacancy rate for parking (e.g. 85% of parking spaces should be available at any given time) and then adjust the price of parking up and down by 25¢ increments to achieve the desired vacancy rate at all times. He also suggested that all of the proceeds from the parking should go directly to the businesses that the parking serves. What do you think of this idea?

Hey Brian,

I'm not sure who was representing Upper State Street as adamantly opposed to market pricing. I would say that there are mixed opinions w/n the association.

I personally support paid parking as there are two may hair salons on the street and not enough retail but I do not believe New Haven's economy is there yet.

Support more biking first and then we wont have to think about the cars.

Well - I see a slight problem with that. Say someone want sot shop at Cassidy's, and buys a 44 lb bag of dog food. How to manage that on a bike?

Hey Lisa,

There are ways to carry dog food on a bike but that was not my point.

I would just like to see more encouragement of non car travel before the city changes its whole parking policy on State Street.

Would you support paid parking on the street Lisa? I am one of the people that does but I feel I am pretty much alone.

Well - thats a double edged sword. If someone want to run into Cassidy's or Sunrise deli - they have to pay to do so, which might discourage them from going to those kinds of "in and out" businesses. But then you have all the restaurants that have no parking - and I would favor metered parking for those patrons. No different then downtown. And of course, night parking would be free. I'm inclined to support metered parking. But then what about the residents on State street that have no driveways?

The point of market pricing for parking is that the amount you pay is exactly proportional to your impact on the ability of others to find an empty space. If you are only running in for a second (to pick up a deli sandwich, for example) your impact on the ability of others to find an empty space would be negligible and as a result you would not be charged. This can easily be accomplished by giving the first ten minutes for free.

Lisa says, "Ah! Thats a great idea!"
I agree.
Very cool. Think Mike would do this on State Street?

Acknowledged By the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department.

I just called NH Traffic & Parking again because the same person is parked in front of my store for the 3rd time this week! I think she works at H&R Block. I come in at 10am and this person was parked there when I came in and was there until 6pm or later Tues & Wed. The operator took my report and hopefully I'll see a parking attendant today!

Great job NHTTP! I just saw the attendant patrolling & ticketing people across the street parked in the No Standing zones-although, they probably would not be parked there if our 2 hr spots were open! The attendant didn't ticket the person parked in front of my store, hopefully he'll be back in 2 hours to check on the situation.