Constructing More Parking

[Sonia]

This post has been moved from an unrelated thread. It was originally posted by 07310.


Hello Jeremy,

There are no, "extra 50 parking spaces". Very tricky of Fulop, he just told Sonia that to get her to accept the "Lefrak" ordinance. I can see why she's pissed. He was DISHONEST! :mad:

The good news is we will now have signs on Washington Boulevard so our cars won't be ticket'd. :) The bad news is we still need more parking. :(
If you think its bad now wait until 700 Grove St condos are occupied and they start to park on Washington Blvd because there isn't enough parking in the area btwn JC and Hoboken.

[Sonia]

07310,

Sorry I took so long to respond to your post, which I think has much merit.

First, as a reminder, the new apartments on Grove Street are at a significant enough distance from Newport to make parking in our neighborhood less desirable than in other areas such as Harsimus Cove, or even Hamilton Park, not that I believe they should be burdened either. I'm assuming the new condo will have parking spaces, possibly underground.

In addition, there really is a simple answer, and one that I suggested both to Councilmen Steven Fulop and Marianno Vega, which is for the city to build multi-leveled, underground and/or towered parking that can accommodate thousands of cars. A several tier garage could actually create at least two streams of income for the city, generating revenues from retail space as well as from the parking facility. Moreover, as Councilman Vega pointed out to me, it would help stabilize rates.

Both Councilmen indicated the city has no money for construction, but if the city were to cut spending in other areas, and come-up with some creative financing, it's conceivable they could make a city-owned garage a reality. It's a question of priorities, how important is it for the city to build a garage?

[PTMG]

Why should the city be in the business of building and operating garage towers?

[07310]

07310,

Sorry I took so long to respond to your post, which I think has much merit.

First, as a reminder, the new apartments on Grove Street are at a significant enough distance from Newport to make parking in our neighborhood less desirable than in other areas such as Harsimus Cove, or even Hamilton Park, not that I believe they should be burdened either. I'm assuming the new condo will have parking spaces, possibly underground.

In addition, there really is a simple answer, and one that I suggested both to Councilmen Steven Fulop and Marianno Vega, which is for the city to build multi-leveled, underground and/or towered parking that can accommodate thousands of cars. A several tier garage could actually create at least two streams of income for the city, generating revenues from retail space as well as from the parking facility. Moreover, as Councilman Vega pointed out to me, it would help stabilize rates.

Both Councilmen indicated the city has no money for construction, but if the city were to cut spending in other areas, and come-up with some creative financing, it's conceivable they could make a city-owned garage a reality. It's a question of priorities, how important is it for the city to build a garage?

I know that some residents of Zepher Lofts which is next to the 700 Grove construction site have been complaining about the lack of street parking for residents and visitors. I agree that Newport is far away to make parking here unattractive, except for the area of Washington Blvd around the strip mall next to Target. On weekends I have seen that area parked up with cars that I assume are from Newport residents and visitors to this complex. I felt that when 700 Grove is fully occupied that small area will become more congested putting pressure on parking on the rest of Washington Blvd.

[Cleo]

PTMG,

Better for the city to build parking garages than accept Fulop's proposal to create a different standard for new residents. At least, the city would not be violating residents' civil rights.

[PTMG]

PTMG,

Better for the city to build parking garages than accept Fulop's proposal to create a different standard for new residents. At least, the city would not be violating residents' civil rights.
Existance of one proposed bad solution does not make another bad solution any better. Building parking garages on taxpayers' dime to compete with private garages seems like a major no-no.

[Sonia]

PTMG,

It's arguable that this solution would work well for the city. Municipal parking is not unusual. The concept has already been applied in several cities throughout the country, including other cities in New Jersey. How does it work? It's fair to presume the city leases the space out to a garage company, such as Kinney's, which manages the facility. Moreover, a multi-level facilities with retail shops located on the premises, can be expected to generate a second stream of income for the city.

Conceivably, another intangible advantage may be the opportunity to impact rising garage rates in the private sector. By adding an element of competition, municipal parking could help at least stabilize private garage rates.

Apparently, the city has a chance of making money from this type of investment, and the idea should not be dismissed outright. Jersey City has repeatedly spent much more than a dime on a lot less lucrative expenditures. You just have to believe that if an idea is good enough to implement, the money to make it happen, will become available.

What's your solution?

[JPhurst]

State law allows the creation of municipal parking authorities precisely for the purpose of acquiring and constructing parking. The idea is that when managing and constructing large real estate, it is necessary to create independent authorities rather than have such projects overseen by the mayor's office. This is why we have Housing Authorities and a statewide School Construction Authority.

In practice, it hasn't worked out very well. Usually this just creates another government patronage agency with less accountability to the electorate.

Jersey City has a parking authority, but it does very little in the way of acquring land or constructing parking. They largely issue tickets and parking permits, which is something that can easily be done as a municipal agency. Remarkably, the JC Parking Authority has found a way to lose money doing this.

Nevertheless, before abolishing the Parking Authority, we may want to see if the city can figure out a way to make good use of it and seriously commit to expanding parking.

At the same time, a city can't build its way out of congestion. You need other more creative solutions. Improving public transportation, creating bike and pedestrian paths, and encouraging innovative services such as car sharing. To that end, here are some other suggestions (sorry if this is veering off topic)

1) In Hoboken, the city gave one parking space at city hall to zipcar, and the service later expanded to 7 cars throughout the city. I believe some of the zipcars are parked in municipal lots.

The city should do the same here, giving a parking space to a car sharing company at city hall and perhaps at other municipal parking spots. Based on the average amount of users per shared car, this can be the equivalent of creating 20 parking spaces for each shared vehicle.

2) Build the East Coast Greenway in Jersey City. This would create a bike and pedestrian path stretching from the waterfront, through the downtown neighborhoods, and eventually make its way to the west side of the city. Voila, you have created a unique transportation corridor connecting several neighborhoods in Jersey City. In Boston, when they built the Paul Revere trail it was originally considered a recreational trail, but they have found it is also used as a commuter path as well. The East Coast Greenway would also help end Newport's isolation from the rest of the city.

3) As has already been done, work to bring back and expand ferry service at the waterfront. PATH is operating at capacity in rush hours and something else will be needed.

4) Better foresight for the upcoming extensions of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail. Right now, Hudson County pols are advocating to extend the LRT west from North Bergen into Secaucus and then to the Xanadu project at the Meadowlands. While the project has some merit, it is not the best option. NJT should go back to the "Northern Branch" plans to bring service to the eastern parts of Bergen County, terminating in Tenafly. A bit more ambitious, extend the southern service from Bayonne into Staten Island at least as far as Tottenville. The Bayonne bridge was designed to handle a rail track, and the S.I. borough president says he wants the service. It will not be easy but can be done. These extensions will take several cars off the road, and also conserve parking spaces.

We may need to build more parking lots as well. But building more parking lots and roads to handle increased auto traffic is like dealing with obesity by loosening one's belt. It doesn't address the root of the problem or give a long term solution.

[Sonia]

JP,

Please expand on the East Coast Greenway. How would traffic move through the neighborhoods? Do you have a map? Is this only for pedestrians, and bicycles, or could you drive through?

Zip car is a great idea, but it's meant for people who only need to rent a car for a couple hours. Are you saying that it would decrease the need for parking spaces for rentals? Please explain?

Are you arguing that if more people walk, ride bicycles, and take public transportation, there will be less need for parking?

[Jeremyk]

What is the East Coast Greenway? :confused: Is it a parkway? I'd like to know more about it.

[Lisa]

JPhurst,

I'm all for walking, biking and taking public transportation, but I'm not about to give up my car or parking space!

You seem to have inside knowledge on how the parking authority conducts business, where did you get this information? :D

[JPhurst]

The East Coast Greenway is a proposed pedestrian and bike trailway that will run from the Florida Keys to Calais, Maine. An urban version of the Appalachian Trail. The goal is to make it 80% off road. In other words, no car traffic, except for where the trail runs "on road" (where there will be bicycle lanes).

Originally, the East Coast Greenway Alliance, as part of its New Jersey route, proposed a route from Trenton to Perth Amboy, with a ferry then taking people to New York. Several local residents, including Council President Mariano Vega and Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Vice President Mike Selender, said that it was ridiculous for the Greenway to skip New Jersey's two most populated urban areas.

The ECGA went back and formulated a new route. The proposed route through Jersey City would go through the Bergen Arches, on top of the Sixth Street Embankment, and connect with the waterfront.

There are parts of the greenway that have already been built and are in use. The Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath, a 28 mile stretch of trail in central NJ, was one of the first segments put in use.

The Embankment Preservation Coalition, a local advocacy group, has been promoting the Embankment and trying to get the city to take the steps to acquire it. Funds have been raised from Green Acres, and then Representative Menendez earmarked federal money to go through acqusition.

As most of you know, a developer is fighting the city for the right to tear down the Embankment. Discussing what's going on there is another story completely.

More information can be found at the ECGA's website. This includes route maps.

http://www.greenway.org/

[JPhurst]

JP,

Zip car is a great idea, but it's meant for people who only need to rent a car for a couple hours. Are you saying that it would decrease the need for parking spaces for rentals? Please explain?

Yes. In a well planned city, the only way you really need a car is if your job requires that you commute to work on a daily basis. If your car use is discretionary only, then it is generally more economical not to have a car, and to rent when you need it.

I think Zipcar, if it is extensive enough, is superior to traditional rental cars because you can rent either by the hour or by the day. It is also more convenient. You don't have to get out of work to the car rental office by 6:00 p.m. You don't have to wait until Monday to return the car. The hourly/daily fees include insurance and gas. And you just walk up, flash your card and take the car. When you are done, you return to the parking space, lock the car, and walk away. Much less hassle than a rental.

Some people have said that for daily rates, the traditional rental car is cheaper. All I know is that when I have checked rates, they are largely comparable, especially when you factor in gas and insurance. I might use a rental car if I was renting for a few days and knew I could pick up and drop off the car during business hours. But if I want to go away for a weekend, I would have to leave work early each Friday, which I can't do. And for most companies I would have to wait for Monday to return the car, and pay for the extra day.

I currently own a very old car. My wife and I use it primarily to go away for the weekends and run the occassional errand. When Zipcar came to Jersey City I signed up just so I could have access to a second car if I needed it. Right now, Zipcar only has 4 cars in Jersey City, and after only a few weeks utilization has soared. Right now it is very difficult to get a car for Saturday.

If Zipcar expands enough, I would be ready get rid of our car and use Zipcar for all my transportation needs. One more parking space available. Studies show that for each shared car in a fleet, 6-8 cars are taken off the streets, and out of parking spots. Zipcar says that the number is as high as 20, but that may be a somewhat self-serving study.

Other cities have recognized the value of car sharing, and have set aside parking spaces for car sharing concerns such as Zipcar or Flexcar. Hoboken, Somerville, Mass; and Washington D.C. among others.

Jersey City is not the most well planned out city. But at least in some areas, particularly downtown, it is liveable without a car.


Are you arguing that if more people walk, ride bicycles, and take public transportation, there will be less need for parking?

Yes.

[JPhurst]

JPhurst,

You seem to have inside knowledge on how the parking authority conducts business, where did you get this information? :D

No inside information involved. I just know what is publicly available, which is a) that JC has created no significant parking in recent memory and b) that the parking authority regularly loses money and has to be subsidized by the city budget.

[Sonia]

Thank you JP, for answering all our questions. Your ideas are good, especially when combined with the construction of a public multi-level parking garage.

Do you happen to know which city agency collects the cash from parking meters? Would that be the parking authority?

[JPhurst]

I would assume so. But I'm not sure.

[Matt]

Zip car is a great idea, but it's meant for people who only need to rent a car for a couple hours. Are you saying that it would decrease the need for parking spaces for rentals? Please explain?

Are you arguing that if more people walk, ride bicycles, and take public transportation, there will be less need for parking?

Yes. There is already one less car in Newport because of Zipcar - my own is gone.

I sold my car (previously parked in the East Hampton garage) specifically because of Zipcar. However, this was actually back in 2002. Zipcar was not yet in Jersey City, so I went to Hoboken city hall for my Zipcar (I work in Hoboken anyway)...

I went from paying $500/month (insurance+parking, not counting the cost of ownership/maintenance) down to something well below $50/month for occasional Zipcar rentals.

Back in 2002, the main use I had for a car was only to get groceries and occasional shopping trips. Shoprite didn't deliver and Freshdirect wasn't here... Now I just get groceries delivered and hardly ever even need Zipcar.