Bringing Back Valet Parking
Decatur Metro | May 15, 2009Sounds like the city wants to give valet parking another try.
Also on the docket for next Monday’s City Commission meeting: giving Eagle Parking a six-month trial on the south side of the Square.
As Lyn explains in her note, “We entered into a similar arrangement with Eagle Parking last October at the request of Saba. It was used and we had no problems, but with only a few months to test it before cold weather arrived, we would like the oppertunity to continue to test the concept through the end of December 2009.”
The service is $3 (not sure if that includes or excludes tip), but could possibly be validated at participating restaurants.
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Thank god.
Why does almost no one park in the garage behind the courthouse? It’s free. There’s never more than 10 cars in there; meanwhile, the masses are circling the square (wasting time and gas) trying to find a spot at a meter. Seriously, am I missing something?
Creepy for sure! Haven’t you seen all those terrible things that happen to people in parking decks in the movies?
No, it isn’t laziness but I agree it is an awkward hike from that parking deck. It is very creepy too. From the tone of these posts, some people must think valet is some way to judge people or something. I think it is a great way to provide some stimulus to the restaurants and the potential valets themselves. Maybe not in ‘cheap old Decatur’ where we nickel and dime every last thing, but valets that work really hard can make really good bank.
Plus, I think valet represents a willingness of smart restauranteurs to respect the entire dining experience. I believe it is a gracious way to make the dining experience much more pleasurable at a nominal cost. And, it is up to the diner, you opt-in and pay or you shut your mouth and walk through that dank parking deck, past the square where the alleged bullet-carrying thugs hang out and go eat.
Where do the valets park the cars? My work has an office downtown and I have finagled a parking pass to that garage, or I walk to downtown, so I don’t use public parking much. How does this work?
According to the supplemental materials for the meeting, cars will be parked either in a lot on N. McDonough owned by Eagle Parking OR in the courthouse parking deck.
If I had to guess (without channeling the “there’s already lots of parking!” rage) I’d say it has to do with that walk from the parking deck up to the Square. Not all that pleasant an experience on Trinity, thanks to a fast artery, the backside of the Courthouse and Maloof. As for the other pedestrian exit on the MARTA bus plaza, I don’t think people know it’s there.
Also, that deck is a bit creepy in the evening.
Laziness.
Why? So no one, again, will use it because there is plentiful parking within a short walking distance anyway? Particularly at night when I presume the service would be available?
Hey, I agree that if people are willing to pay for it then fine, use it. But the last time they tried it apparently very few people wanted to use it so it disbanded. But your “bullet-carrying thugs” remark is real productive, Grumble. Really.
Tell me, when has there ever been an incident in that parking garage? And don’t like parking in garages? Fine. There is always plentiful street parking either along Commerce or McDonough near the high school. Oh, no, you might have to walk an extra block. Based on the looks of many around here, they could stand to use it.
Sheez. Do we really need to turn this into a philosophical debate?
What’s wrong with choices? The way to build a vibrant downtown economy is not in demonizing people who *aren’t doing what they should* or *could do better*. It’s understanding the objections people have — real or perceived — in regards to patronage and addressing them.
For whatever reason (and however accurate or inaccurate), if people are avoiding the square because they think there’s a lack of parking or parking safety, valet is a good test program to find a way to address it. Really, what’s the harm?
Scott, your question harms people’s god-given right to scorn the heck out of each other.
To turn a recent comment on it’s head, “Why are liberals so mean?”
I’m all for choices, but when Grumble says that you should’t park in the free garage that is just 2 blocks from the Square because that’s where the “bullet-carrying thugs hang out,” I just want to point out that that kind of attitude is just ridiculous … and even on the cusp of being racist.
Thanks, DM.