Citizen D

09/20/04 Council Doesn't get it!

In his Under the Radar piece, Michael Davis brought these thoughts to mind. I am very disturbed that the mayor and council just do not "get it" when it comes to economic development!

As Mr. Davis so aptly points out, "economic maintenance" is at risk if we allow parking meter rates to go up.

In economically viable areas like Deep Ellum and the West End, all the city does is ANTAGONIZE "money spending patrons" by jacking up parking rates.

I have "nagged" about this before, BUT -- why can't we be more like Fort Worth?

In Forth Worth, after 5-PM and on weekends, parking is FREE!

Tourists and visitors feel welcomed and as a result SPEND MORE MONEY! Much more than any parking meters would raise.

Why can't Dallas get this? It a ain't brain surgery!

It saddens me that our council really can't see this connection between free parking and MORE business (hence -- more sales tax revenues) to our Downtown and our entertainment districts.

The money we spend on consultants, studies and outsiders could have been "invested" in underwriting the costs of parking to parking lot owners and making the CBD and surrounding areas attractive to visitors.

Raising rates on parking lots and parking meters leaves a bad taste in the mouths of patrons coming to spend hundreds of dollars on food and entertainment. Even a 5-star meal and service cannot take away the taste of being screwed by the city at a parking meter.

Is it worth the $1-2 increase to lose an average $200-300 for four people for a "night on the town"?

My free advice is "NO"! If you don't believe me, go hire a consultant for $20,000 to tell you the same thing.