For me, the most persuasive comments about parking (on both sides of the
issue) are below, following my opining.
I grew up hearing over and over again that a major reason for the demise of
small town shopping centers was the free and ample parking available at the
then-new outdoor malls. I think that received wisdom is now called a meme.
And then came the even newer enclosed malls, now referred to by some as
"Mauls" and "air-conditioned hell."
Nostalgia: Fond memories of being taken by the hand as a kid, especially at
Christmas time, to Bloomfield Center, "downtown" Nutley and Belleville; and
Newark where Bamberger's Thanksgiving/Christmas Parade was predominantly
Bam's employees before it was gobbled up by Macy's Inc. No promotions for
movies, schlock TV, twink idols, or kitschy Disney. Red and Green lighted
decorations were draped across our main streets with abandon, and no one
worried that
some drivers might confuse them with the traffic lights. Sigh.
When all that disappeared in NJ, my preference was NYC where you could still
brave the elements and experience what remained of the Grand Old Department
Stores like B. Altman's where long-time clerks knew their merchandise.
("City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, In the air there's a feeling of Christmas,
And on every street corner you hear Silver bells, silver bells As the
shoppers rush home with their treasures, Hear the snow crunch....")
But I digress. That was Then, This is Now.
So, I'm still weighing the strong points below.
As a footnote, I still remember admiring the ad hoc entrepreneurship by
Oceanport's property owners near Monmouth Race Track. You could park on their
lawns, even flower beds, for a few bucks more or less, depending on how close
they were to the main gate. I started to calculate how many cars would fit on
my property on my "Street of Dreams" in Asbury Park.
============================
In a message dated 11/17/2008 12:10:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Give people every reason to come to AP.
We aren't popular enough yet to start challenging their decision to come
with parking meters.
In a message dated 11/17/2008 3:20:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I learned a long time ago NEVER to be the lowest bidder. What are you
saying about yourself?
In a message dated 11/17/2008 11:44:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
1. Let People Pay for parking.
a) they pay for food.
b) they pay for drinks.
c) they tip
d) they have a good time
e) they feel safe, or they wouldn't come
f) they feel they have value for their money
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