"Less is more sometimes," Denver Planning Board member Rachel Marion said during the board's discussion of the proposal on March 19. "The city saying, 'We're going to eliminate this requirement' would open up a lot of creativity, development and vibrancy downtown and in a number of spaces."
But it also opens up a lot of discussion, as evidenced by the responses on the Westword Facebook post of the proposal. Says Walt:
Unless the city is willing to manage lots and garages, the unintended consequences for both residents and visitors will be a huge price increase for parking overall. And don’t offer RTD as an alternative for commuters and visitors, as service is nonexistent on many lines after 9 p.m. and RTD management has never addressed security problems — i.e., drug usage at stations, on trains and buses.Responds Ryk:
What you're really saying is that our current model heavily subsidizes parking. Many people, myself included, are in favor of getting rid of this massive subsidy. The market will respond to demand appropriately.Offers Liz:
This would be great if we had anything close to a functioning public transit system.Adds Geoffrey:
You can't make people give up their cars, but you can make owning a car such a labor that people give them up willingly.Suggests Valdamar:
So...fewer cars and fewer visitors. It'll be easier for our neighbors to visit places in the suburbs rather than travel into more expensive, less safe and less accessible Denver.Replies Kevin:
Not seeing what people are complaining about. Most of Denver has excessive space allocated to parking as it is. There’s also plenty of suburbia out there if big parking lots and strip malls are your thing.Says Erin:
More housing lowers housing costs - supply and demand, basic economics. If you want a home with a parking spot, it’s going to be more expensive than a home without one, same as a home with a garage is going to be more expensive than one with just an outdoor parking spot. Determine your priorities and decide for yourself and let other people do the same, even if that means they don’t want a parking spot.Comments Nathan
Does the city government understand people have cars in Denver because people drive into the mountains? We’re not NYC or some East Coast city where no one leaves and can get by on public transport. People move here for the mountains.Concludes Sarah:
We need to decide if parking is a right, or a privilege we pay for.What do you think of the proposal to remove Denver's minimum requirement for parking? Post a comment or share your thoughts at westword.com.
