A Possible Remedy to Newport's Downtown Parking Situation
Well, in case any of you locals haven't noticed, we are back in the thick of things as far as the traffic situation goes.
Last weekend and this one coming up are two of the biggest draws we have to our fine city. But, alas, we throw a party for 20,000 plus visitors and provide parking and facilities for less than half of that.
This is one of those "Everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it." Recently, the city has added a VALET PARKING lot at the end of lower Thames Street in the Police Substation. If my store wasn't across the street from it, I don't know if I would have known anything about it. It it at the end of the shopping area, charges customers $15 to park and then, they have to walk back uptown. Some of the older folks are unable to do this.
Also, how do visitors even know about it? I have been thinking about this a lot and talking about it with the customers in my shop and I have an idea. If you are a local, you are very much aware of all the churches that are here. Many of them have parking lots and these have chains across the entrances with "NO PARKING" signs. Big, huge, empty lots that except for Sundays, are literally not being used.
We also have schools that in the summer are vacant. Rogers High School for one has a gigantic lot. If these places could be solicited to allow parking on their property and we provided shuttles or reasonable alternatives, it could certainly help things.
I have noticed the Pedicabs all over town. Even this business could have their cabs at these satellite parking lots to bring people back and forth from downtown.
I am sure I am going to hear from all of you naysayers who will find something wrong with this idea, but I would love to hear from those of you who think it is a good idea and also suggestions as to how this could be implemented.
Jack
4:04 pm on Monday, August 15, 2011
The lot at St. Marys would need to be relined to use it as it is set for straight thru parking, one behind the next, and is in the Almighty Hill district so drop it from the list. Others in mid-town are being used, Rogers is way too far from the action to consider as is Easton Beach so what lots are you referring to ? I do not know if the garage at the Marriot fills up but that is all that is left.
nptresident
10:20 pm on Monday, August 15, 2011
I agree with Shana! Who knows anything about valet parking????? Where are the signs?? Newport needs a comprehensive parking plan. Rogers is too far out of the way and people would have to travel all the way through the city to get there. I don't profess to know the answers, but something needs to be done to help tourists and locals park in the city. A bigger parking garage at the visitors' center perhaps? I'm sure, however, nearby neighbors would have a snit fit.....
Matt Borges
1:29 pm on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Not sure if Valet is the answer. But shuttles wouldn't be a bad option. The Hili lot and even Middletown High School could be pick up points. Both of those would keep the traffic out . But who knows how to price it and/or cover the costs to get it started.
Arlene J. Nicholas
12:35 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2011
Great suggestion. There are lots that could be used at different times. It would be quite a feat to keep that coordinated with the events of buildings with down-time lots, such as St. Mary’s that may need it on various days for weddings or funerals. There are others such as the Elks Lodge, not always full, banks that are closed from Sat. afternoon to Monday morning (downtown ones are already used as lots), Aquidneck Medical Center, Salvation Army, etc. These organizations would gain some revenue for usage also. What happened to the idea of a multi-level lot on Mary St. that can look esthetically pleasing and fit into the design of the area? It has been done! http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=9730.0
bosstaxes
10:45 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2011
The churches were barred from this by the city council with the backing of a parking lot company. Also it makes too much sense so is immediately ruled out here.
The Physicist
8:11 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Another example of crooked politics on the behalf of the newport city counsel ......
By not letting the churchs rent there parking lots to the public
John H
8:32 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
Churches have to file additional forms with the IRS and, if the revenue exceeds certain parameters, they risk their tax exempt status altogether.
Moreover they'd have to pay insane amounts of liability insurance- parking lots are a notorious target of litigatigation. St. Mary's will need Diocesan permission and considering its finances and risk exposure that would probably require uncompetitive or prohibitive break even rates.
The fact is Newport has a perfect opportunity right now to reconsider its excessive reliance on tourism. Feeding this monster is not the strategy this city should pusue. Tourism- at least the heavily subsidized version practiced here- is a ZERO growth industry. It is not a source permanent high wage local jobs Newport needs to simply tread water, much less over come decades of ignoring basic infrastructure needs and long term financial obligations. The civil pension obligation exceeds 60% of its median income- leading to one of three things: eventual default, additional tax levies on the lowest wage paying industry in the nation or a complete rollback of city services.
All of this is set against the backdrop of an economy that will likely afford fewer people discretionary income to make Newport an affordable destination. If the Democratic tax plans become law many of the corporate tax deductions that fill the hotels and pay the food tabs will be eliminated. Then there are the eventual cutbacks at the Navy.
Just say no to more parking.
Greg Dawley
8:59 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
Very well said John H.