From a public relations point of view, I prefer “free-market parking” or “market-rate parking” because it communicates the essential idea straightaway. It also has connotations of freedom: people’s choice in action. Whereas “performance parking” could mean anything, including the expansion of parking supply. It has to be explained. And it has connotations of tests and standards, which may not be desirable in some circumstances.

But the term “free market” generally refers to a neoliberal ideology that comes with privatization, and that’s not what Redwood City is doing. The parking meters are publicly owned and publicly regulated.

They just use prices, a staple of the private market.

Nevertheless, let me assist you by helping you to understand parking on your block a little better and to update you on some great new developments.

NO TIME LIMITS: When the new program went into effect your employees gained a great amount of flexibility that they might not have discovered yet. Your block has 104 parking spaces. Under the old system they only had 17 spaces to park in without having to move their car after two hours (or less) or face a $25 parking ticket. Now all 104 spaces are open to your employees and they can park there as long as they’d like without worrying about moving their car or getting a ticket, as long as they pay the meter. The meters have all been reprogrammed to accept as much money as you want to put in them (rather than only accepting 36 minutes or 2 hours worth as they did in the past).

NO MORE NEED FOR CHANGE: In addition to parking tickets and car shuffling, your employees also used to have to worry about carrying around a bunch of change for the old meters. The new meters take credit cards, debit cards, and dollar bills.

CHEAP PARKING STILL AVAILABLE: The meter rates on your block vary based on demand from 25 cents per hour to 75 cents an hour. Here is a breakdown:

Broadway 12 spaces 75 cents per hour
Perry Lot 52 spaces 50 cents per hour
Perry Street (Broadway to parking lot)
11 spaces 50 cents per hour
Perry Street (parking lot to Brewster)
9 spaces 25 cents per hour
Brewster 2 spaces 25 cents per hour
El Camino 18 spaces 25 cents per hour

CHEAPER PARKING AVAILABLE WITH A MONTHLY PERMIT: Depending on how many hours per month your employees work, a monthly permit may be an even cheaper alternative. They range from $40 to $60 per month in the Perry Lot. They can be purchased at the Revenue Services counter at City Hall. More information is available at this link: http://www.redwoodcity.org/cds/redevelopment/downtown/Parking/Permit%20Menu.pdf

ADDITIONAL PAY-BY-SPACE METER IN PERRY LOT: Since the Perry Lot is such a popular parking destination due to the proximity to interesting businesses like yours, we are adding another meter in 2 weeks to eliminate lines.

FREE NIGHT AND WEEKEND PARKING: I am excited to announce that we have just negotiated an agreement for free night and weekend parking in Caltrain’s parking lot on Perry Street. This adds 160 spaces 1 block from some of the best restaurants and shops in Downtown Redwood City right when we need it. The parking will be free to the general public (including employees of retail shops) after 6pm during weekdays and all day during Saturday and Sunday. The agreement has been signed and it will take effect in mid-September. Look for the new signs, and thank Councilman Jim Hartnett for his tenacity on this issue. He made it happen.

MERCHANT SUPPORT: Many merchants contributed great ideas to the creation of this plan during the public workshops, and many turned out to support its adoption when the City Council considered the matter. The Downtown Business Group still supports the program and is excited about the benefits it brings to Downtown. I just met with them 2 weeks ago and they reiterated this support.

Hopefully this information will help you and your employees out. I like you and I like your business and I’ve always worked hard to help everyone as much as I can. Rather than calling me names on the internet, swing by City Hall or give me a call and I’ll make sure you have all of the info that you need. And you know you can always sick your good buddy Tom B. on me. He and I are family now!

Cheers,
Dan

The Alameda Sun reported on the City Council discussion about possible raising the prices of the metered parking in order to facilitate drivers using the new garage on their visits to Park Street rather than looping the blocks in order to find on-stree…

The more general point is about fairness. Redwood City allocates a scarce resource (on-street parking in high-demand areas) by allowing rates to rise to the price customers are willing to pay. The city decided that’s a better policy than subsidizing below-market parking. Subsidized parking causes perverse outcomes: more pollution, more traffic congestion, less convenient parking, less income for streetscape improvements, and less business for local shops.

Market rate parking makes transit, walking and carpooling more cost-effective. Market rate parking is regressive, but it’s a better deal overall when all the costs and benefits to the community are considered.