Meter Hike Tightens the Squeeze on Small Biz Owners
By Kimberly Neff, PernaFrederick
As if small business owners in Center City aren’t already gripped by the economy, in January of this year, rates at downtown parking meters were hiked. The increases are geared to change the way Philadelphians get around, using costly street parking to push them to either public transportation, walking or to park in a parking lot. Will people be motivated enough to shop and dine in Center City that they will be willing to change their behaviors to do so? Or are we literally just driving business away? And, dare I say, is traffic a bigger problem or issue than the needs of Center City business owners?
The increase takes rates from $1 an hour to $2. Sounds painful to both business owners and shoppers in a plethora of ways. This is effective from river to river, Spring Garden to Bainbridge. Although it brings in $8 million to a city with a budget crisis, Mayor Nutter affirms the rate change is more an attempt at behavior modification, than revenue generation. Revenues to the PPA will total $31 million this year. The plan also includes a proposal to eventually triple the original rates to $3 in the core of Center City.
I am a big advocate of the benefits of public transportation, and the need to create easy, accessible opportunities for people to get around. But let’s be realistic for a moment. Suburbanites will continue to drive, along with city dwellers making short trips. People will not stop looking for street parking versus the more expensive alternative in a lot. You would have to stay 8 hours to make the lot worth it. $7.50/hour is the cheapest on the www.philapark.org site in distance of Walnut Street.
Encouraging switching to public transportation is a valid effort, but may take years. Let’s just say, that the majority of people with who are coming downtown to eat or shop will go home with items in hand (hopefully), and might prefer to put those items in the back of their vehicle than toting them on the R5 back to Radnor. Shouldn’t we be encouraging this needed economic stimuli?
The fear is simply, that it is now more difficult for consumers to spend time and money in Center City. And therein lie the problem that business owners and CCPA members are talking about. The hike has some good intentions, but it is less than timely. It is a difficult concept to grasp, especially in a time of economic strife, why the city would make these changes now? Most jarring are the pains felt by Center City restaurateurs and small business owners who are already fighting to keep their businesses viable, and fearing they are missing out as shoppers and diners are opting to park with ease at the King of Prussia Mall.
Exciting Parking News!!!
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20090121_Parking_meters_costing_more_this_week.html
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20081111_Plan_would_triple_rates_at_Center_City_meters.html
http://www.gpmabl.com/index.html
