Another example of business-friendly Toledo!

I couldn't believe that the little "special event" lots were charging folks $20 to park on Opening Day. Really. A great way to encourage folks to come downtown -- gouge 'em.

Downtown parking is such a scam.

lest yee forget - tom crothers, another "deputy mayor" for bell, before he worked for the city was director of the umbrella group that the parking authority was a member. crothers is helping out his old organization the parking authority and clayton johnston (and his huge salary as has been documented several places) the parking authority director.

having said that - parking lots are typically licensed. the city has a role in ensuring that lots of businesses operate in a safe manner for the public and in a way that protects adjacent property values. the fees they are charging for these licenses are pretty low but really ought to better reflect the number of slots, not just big and small.

if you look at cities that succeed, they do have standards. those standards have to be reasonable and fairly enforced. while it is questionable that crothers is pushing it right now, the fact the law is on the books prior to bell coming to office, given the low fees and the benefits that accrue to consumers and the city, i don't think i see a real issue here.

Curious as to what The Parking Authority lots were charging?

"... parking lots are typically licensed. ... given the low fees and the benefits that accrue to consumers and the city, i don't think i see a real issue here."

From the Blade article:

The outlying communities must not have these standards, or they choose not to enforce their parking lot standards. Otherwise, how can property owners charge for parking on their lawns and fields for special events like festivals, art shows, fireworks, golf tournaments, etc.? This is obviously an example of Toledo's advancement, since Toledo would never permit event-parking on a lawn.

By the way, is it still illegal in Toledo to park your own vehicle on your own gravel driveway in your own front yard?

"Curious as to what The Parking Authority lots were charging?"

From today's Blade article :

And Toledo taxpayers can sleep easier, since we're now complying with the ordinance:

So my question is this: if you happen to have a business downtown (one of the few left) and you open up your private parking for the public during a downtown event, why should you need a license? Isn't it to the benefit of the city as well as potential patrons at events to have these spaces available versus shut off?

I guess I see a difference between a lot available for public parking and a private lot that is opened up for special events.

Does this distinction make a difference?

This should be revisited during the next large event at Inverness Club. Many of the homeowners along the Dorr/Richards corridor charge people to park on their grass lawn.

To people who don't agree with this type of ridiculous hawking...quit going to Mud Hens & Walleye games and other downtown events.

Tom Crothers, Bell, Gerken, council, and their other political hacks can sit among themselves in 5/3 field and have a private circle jerk while pondering another fee increase.

This type of bullshit is yet another reason to vote against any/all levy requests.

It seems what Mr. Johnston is saying makes sense. Am I missing something? If one lot that is licensed has to provide handicap parking, yet one that just opens a lot and charges doesn't....seems unfair.

Also, $7 seems fair. When going to a concert in Detroit, we drove around for the best rate. Yes we had to walk but that is the price you pay.

I have parked the last two years for the Walleye games at a lot by the corner of Erie and Jefferson and have never payed more than 5 dollars.I think that is a fair price to pay for parking.As far as the lots that charge 10 or twenty dollars,I just will not park there.If people did not park at these places I think they would have to lower their prices.The problem with Toledo residents is they are too lazy to walk a couple of blocks to an event.They want to be 50 feet away from the entrance or they will squeal like a stuffed pig.The old sports arena charged 5 dollars to park and most of that parking lot was gravel.It also took forever to exit that lot after an event.The place we now park at for the Walleye games is a much nicer lot and it takes very little time to exit.

I agree Buckeye. Anyone paying $20 to park downtown hasn't looked around.

What also seems crazy is that from a dollars and sense standpoint, it isn't worth it. According to the story, 42 lots were licensed in 2010. Even at the higher rate of $275 annually, that's only $11,550 in revenue to the city yearly. If they could double the amount of folks paying the higher rate, that is still only $23,100 per year in parking fees. Compare this to how much the downtown merchants would lose in business if this law was enforced. Bell should show he gets it and repeal the law.

All they need is an exemption for lots that have fewer than X number of spaces, but that obviously won't make Kwik Parking happy.

But I think it is good to require pavement and lighting in lots that advertise their parking for events. They feel safer and look better for downtown. It keeps the weeds from growing and reduces the chances of a criminal lying in wait.

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I paid to park at a special event downtown. We arrive a little early, and have always been able to find a spot on the street within a reasonable walking distance.

Even for Mud Hens opening day. (Granted, my husband arrived extra early for that, but he was meeting friends at a downtown restaurant anyhow.)

I may stand corrected but I think the gauger tend to be the ones literally right next to the stadium and know people who are unwilling to walk a block or two will pay a premium for the convenience of not walking around downtown.

Not sure of the name of the lot but it's only 1 block away from the Arena and only paid $5 each time I went to a Walleye game.

Hard to take a stand on this. If every single place within reasonable walking distance was charging this then would understand being frustrated. But $20 for next to stadium parking and then places within 1-2 blocks being only $5 seems fairly reasonable for a big city.

Could be worse, could be $5 /hr shrug

The best parking deal for Huntington Center, 5/3 or the restaurants is under the Seagate Centre for $5. Plus your car is covered, not in the rain/snow Walk to the arena without going outside, exit the parking garage doors on the Monroe St side and you are right across the street from 5/3 Field. A block from Blarney and Table 44.

The two small lots by Blarney are funny, price changes every day of the week or evetn. $20 on Opening Day was absurd.

At a Walleye Game one night, the gates to the garage on Superior by Madison was closed when we got back to our cars. People were angry, had to call the phone numbers on the door to get someone from another Parking Authority garage to open the gates so we could get out. Bottom line is if you are going for a beverage or meal after a hockey game or event, they close the garage two hours after the conclusion.

We pay $5 ususally in Detroit, by Greektown and walk to Comerica or take the shuttle to Joe Louis Arena. On special events when Detroit is really crowded and the lots are overcharging, the trick is to park at a street meter, but do not put money in it. You get a ticket, but it is only $10 if you pay within two weeks via mail.

"But $20 for next to stadium parking and then places within 1-2 blocks being only $5 seems fairly reasonable for a big city." - Toledo is NOT a big city.

Heaven forbid people who own land that could be used for parking and make a couple of bucks (with land they pay taxes on) without bowing to the big business parking tycoons of Toledo. This is nothing but a campaign contribution for the Bell team and a poorly masked one at that.

The city is falling apart around us, we can't sell the marina district, and crime is growing faster than the grass in these unattended lots but our leaders are focused on shilling mom and pop's for every penny they can get. That Government in action for sure, and you wonder why a large majority of Americans think govt. is out of control. We can't do anything about your neighborhood becoming break in central, but gosh golly we HAVE to do something about illegal parking situation, what would people do without parking control! I hear the screams and see the blood running down the gutter due to the uncontrollable, unregistered parking.

Next up a fee for each flower box you put in your yard unless they where installed by a skilled, licensed, department of forestry union worker because we want to make sure these flowers are handed with care, you are not smart enough to manage the ground you own. Silly citizens.

As I stated in a previous topic. Public transportation only works if there is a big benefit to using it. By raising the cost of parking, taking the bus will appeal to downtown workers.
It's either greed or a plan to get tarta riders.

City officials seem to have a weird obsession with parking in Toledo. It was just a few years ago the whole gravel driveway debacle occurred. You would think the leadership in Toledo has more important issues to deal with than this bullshit.

Wasn't there some issue about water run off as well dealing with gravel drives?

dbw, I've always thought a good dose of irony for liberals and other democrats in this city, would be a license, fee, and code structure to have any sort of yard garden. Heavy fines for violators.

Shuffle Tom Crothers over as department head and he can hire a few dozen of his best friends to be inspectors.

When do the laws on price gouging kick in since they are going from $5 to $20?

Gas station owners would get nailed if they did something like this.

I'm sure when Chinese investors own all the lots, they'll solve the problem...

Should sell the whole city to the chinese.

OK...

so the albrights featured in the story. the lot they are standing at is 90' × 120'. That size lot is pretty easily going to handle 28 parking spots. 28 spots at $10 is $280 a night. 50 games - $14 k per season. Does that generate any other use that they could charge for - seems somewhat likely.

$40 k to repair? not a chance. maybe if you ripped it out and started new and made it deluxe - but that isn't the level of repair the city needs. believe me, ordinarily i would want to find fault with the bell admin, but this just doesn't look like one.

the albrights other lot is right down next to the park and is small - and THEY charge $20 for that one on high demand nights as well. they want sympathy at the same time they are the ones gouging.

if you pay for parking does it seem unreasonable that there not be trip hazards and decent safety lighting. standards is what prevents things from spiralling down like it did around the old tiger stadium. standards protect property values and makes investing in a neighborhoods more predictable, stable, and more worth while.

this is a completely different issue than the gravel parking at a private residence - i agree that is unfair. someone who is really miffed about that can go to council to have that changed - it is really very simple to do.

oh... and as far as walking - at the LCRC on a busy night you would have to park way out in the parking lot - more than 1500' - the pool was about 1700' from the ticket office.

1500' from the stadium puts you at michigan going west, swan creek going south, in the maumee river going east, and madison going north. there is lots of easy free parking within those boudaries.

I have no idea why this idiotic administration has decided to focus on downtown parking. It's pretty pathetic. First, they are getting rid of free lunchtime parking, then they extend the meter times until 6pm from 5pm. Now this. I have a feeling that EZ Park / Qwik Park (whoever the "big boys" are) are behind this decision. Bottom line = "Let's just do whatever we can to kill business downtown."

Where did you hear they are getting rid of free parking at lunch time? I missed that.

Here's my problem: Is the city going to inspect the parking lots for safety hazards once they get the money for the license? Are they currently inspecting the lots that are licensed? Or is this just a way for the city to make easy money and once they have the money, nothing else is going to happen? How often are these lots inspected? And does the license fee guarantee any liability protection for the owners of the lot if, say, somebody were to trip and fall in their lot?

^Molsonator:
The downtown parking authority announced the changes about a month ago. I don't know when it will go into effect yet.

I always laugh when people complain about paying to park downtown. Its not the burbs people. That said, if you pay 20 bucks to park that is all you. There are plenty of places cheaper. Our downtown is not that big, park a few blocks away, its going to be alright, I promise. Has anybody complaining ever neen to a MAJOR city downtown? Its the nature of the beast. And no, I am not being pissy - just stating facts. You cant have a thriving downtown and expect to park for free, eat cheap, get in at no cost to events, etc.

I don't think it's an issue of paying to park as much as it's an issue of putting some lots out of business due to the fees they are going to impose.

I also think that it's the "All of a sudden" action being taken. Parking in downtown has always been relatively cheap. Now, it appears someone found out and will change that immediately.

dell_diva - valid questions about inspections. If the city is going to force them to be licensed, they should enforce codes. The answer to your liability protection - no. They should have a liability policy in place for this type of incident. Any business or actually any household should have a small liability policy for slips, trips, and falls. They are generally pretty cheap.

dell_diva - You should definitely move away if you hate Toledo. See how the bureaucracy of other cities compare and let us know.

Btw, I find it very sad that someone should have to live in a city they hate. You must be very unhappy.