Local blogger Ali Weiss has some thoughts on Chicago’s new parking meter lease deal that just went into effect.
I think for the most part, she’s right on target.
Meter Anxiety
Top five things I predict will occur as a result of Chicago parking meter increases:
1) Less commerce on business thoroughfares due to meters expiring faster.
2) Less commerce on business thoroughfares due to people spending their money on tickets.
3) More drunk driving.
4) More neighborhoods required to instate zoning permits because visitor traffic moves to side streets to avoid meters.
5) A sudden boom for garages and city revenue officials, leading eventually to investigation and another long, grueling scandal.
I’d read up for more answers on this site but for now I’ve gotta leave myself time for the Sunday El to arrive since I can’t park anywhere around Schuba’s
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I for one hope this causes a severe drop in business. I’m not for people losing their jobs but the time is way overdue for Daley to witness the outcome of his stupid, near-sighted, foolish and criminal actions.
I call it the “war on drivers”
The Woodfield Mall red light camera caused such a backlash, its being disconnected. People threatened to boycott the mall.
We need to do the same here in Chicago. I was given a $50 parking ticket when I had 1 hour and 10 minutes time left on the meter. I noticed around our neighborhood, that cars are routinely ticketed when they still have time. I also discovered that some meters are shorting on time. One meter I used shorted me by 45 minutes. Fortunately I was nearby and doublechecked. Now I do all of my shopping in the suburbs or another town 50 miles away from Chicago where they appreciate my business. They don’t harrass me for parking or making right turns on red.
Any revenue generated by this predatory parking/red light camera enforcement will be more than offset by lost sales tax revenue.
Oh, I forgot, sales tax is less in the suburbs and my home town, too. I’ll spend my money there instead of here. Its so much easier and cheaper to shop there.
Im 40yrs old and have lived in Chicago my whole life. Im disgusted! I live on the far North side. I will no longer be spending my money in Chicago. I can just as easily go to suburban malls and stores as go into the city.
Im wondering if the trickle down effect is going to raise the rates at garages to match the street parking price? If so, after that, is it going to trickle down to mass transit?