Editorial made light of parking problems
The following is a Counterpoint:
Regarding your “downtown parking debate” editorial (Jan. 29):
The editorial is insulting and Pollyannish in its dismissal of a very real current problem, particularly by implying to the reader, and to downtown shoppers, that parking far from their destination is good for them and that they could “use more exercise.”
I am pleased a parking compromise has been proposed so that downtown Greensboro has another new property on the horizon. And yes, 14,000 downtown parking places are available.
Yet, recent studies regarding downtown development have emphasized the need for more parking and easier access to downtown merchants, if downtown is going to thrive.
By original design, several of the largest parking decks are located near major office buildings, wisely catering to the employees in those buildings, but they are far from all but a few retail merchants.
And, on an admittedly personal note, almost none of the 14,000 spaces are located in historic Old Greensborough, South of the Tracks, where “downtown” began, and where merchants like me hear complaints every day about the lack of parking.
If the editorial writer — or anyone else — needs a wake-up call, try finding a parking place from Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., while trying to grab a pizza at Mellow Mushroom, have a great meal at Table 16, or browse any of the several antique shops and art galleries in the area, including mine.
Downtown has made progress in many ways over the last few years, but much more needs to be done.
A flippant editorial like this does not help when it creates a seriously false impression regarding the parking situation downtown.
The writer lives in Greensboro and is the owner of Jules Antiques at 530 S. Elm St.
Comments (3)
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For plenty of free and nearby parking try "The Shops @ Friendly" and, for a special shopping treat, drive out towards Burlington to "Alamance Crossing" which has several good restaurants and plenty of hip-hop free browsing.
Posted on February 3, 2009 7:30 AM
A question for the N-R: In searching for some info recently, I noticed you have frequently left off the letter writer's name on the counterpoint threads. Why?
Posted on February 3, 2009 7:56 AM
I was at Table 16, high noon, last Friday. I forgot to bring change for the meters, so I parked on MLK, right next to the RR tracks and walked to the restaurant, passing several open metered spaces along the way.
I'm a big supporter of downtown's merchants, but being downtown means adapting to a changing downtown. Urban environments do not afford practically incumbent parking.
Sometimes, you gotta walk a block to get your pizza. But that's ok, because it means lots of people downtown, consuming not just parking spaces, but goods and services.
As usual, Yogi Berra said it best:
"Nobody goes there, anymore. It's too crowded."
Posted on February 3, 2009 10:19 AM