Free Parking in Deep Ellum
Posted By Alan Cohen in Soundcheck on July 17, 2006
According to this story in the DMN, people will be able to park for free in Deep Ellum during weekdays from 6 AM to 6 PM. This still won't make your parking free for evening concerts. But in theory, more people in Deep Ellum during the daytime should lead to more people in Deep Ellum during the nighttime. Parking has certainly been one of the main problems that the neighborhood has faced, so let's hope that this helps.
Elizabeth Eshelman, says:
Does this mean that meters will be still running after midnight?
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Alan Cohen, says:
I would assume so, but I'm not positive
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Elizabeth Eshelman, says:
bah. this is a terrible idea. this means if you want to leave your car overnight b/c you've decided to cab it home, you're definitely getting a ticket.
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Mike Orren, says:
I agree, Elizabeth. This is an empty PR move that will do little to improve the area -- it is the nighttime parking, particularly on weeknights, that that could make a difference. When this move makes little difference the City can throw its hands up and say "not our fault."
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Alan Cohen, says:
Well the point of this is not to help the concert-goer. Its really about helping the other businesses around Deep Ellum. I think it makes sense that if making parking free MOST of the time will help the neighborhood's economy then making parking free ALL of the time would help the neighborhood's economy more. But this is at least a step in the right direction.
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kevin, says:
How easy would it be to learn how much the city makes off its meters in Deep Ellum? I'd be curious to know how much of a hit the city would take if the meters were always free. I actually don't mind the concept of a nominal meter fee during peak times (if there is demand) to the extent that it will allow for a little bit greater turnover of parking spaces. The last meter I parked at was for four hours, which seems sufficient time for dinner and a show (with maybe a bit of meter-pumping between the dinner and the show).
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Gregory, says:
I actually LIKE the meters (when I can find one), but I've never had to leave my car. I'd be terrified to leave my car in Deep Ellum, for that matter, haha.
I've heard tale of a Dart Rail system in the next 6 or 7 years, but that's a ways away. But a good idea, none-the-less.
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David Gouldin, says:
Income generation seems like a secondary goal of meters. If it were the primary goal, you wouldn't see time limits on them. The city would make more when some shmuck put 12 hours on a meter and left his car there all day ... they're much more likely to have the meters running for a greater portion of the day that way.
Their primary function is parking turnover for high demand or limited parking areas. You give more people the chance to actually get a parking space when you limit the time on the meters. So it only makes sense that the high demand parking times (nights and weekends) would be when the meters are still running.
That being said, you could accomplish the same thing with time limited free parking ... but I would imagine that would be harder to enforce. Cops need a nice big flashing message to tell them you're parking illegally. That way they can serve justice and keep the city streets safe by ticketing your car ...
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Sol, says:
Thank God I can walk to the clubs from my pad. Otherwise I would have tons of tickets or possibly even get booted. Parking is a tremendous problem in Deep Ellum and it should be resolved. Oh well...
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Elizabeth Eshelman, says:
FYI guys - Was in Deep Ellum last night and meter are labeled "free from 7 am to 6 pm" and "pay from 6 pm to 12 am"
basically they are free all day but 6 hours - I think that's alright with me!
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