Hawthorne issue: parking solutions and pressures

[MikeOnHawthorne&25th]

There seem to be many concerns in the discussion of "Streetcar on
Hawthorne" about parking-related questions, including (but not limited
to):
- possible loss of or interference with on-street parking - especially
once a streetcar was established, but also during the inevitable tear-
up of the streets
- new condo/high-density housing developments with inadequate
"internal" parking that could spillover to the surrounding blocks' on-
street parking (especially when residents get established in their
commuting patterns for years before a streetcar was running)
- need for creative thinking around public/private projects like
SmartPark installations e.g. Fred Meyers, Safeway
- potential for more uninvited "Park & Ride" cars dumped into on-
street parking (on Hawthorne and nearby side streets) by folks from
further out residences who pick up the streetcar for distance
commuting

These are the concerns that I recall/heard from discussions - you
probably know many more than I've mentioned. I'm just trying to get
the discussion rolling - to prompt you folks to get your thoughts
"into the common".

Please share your thoughts!

[davidalankaplan]

HAND has been meeting with neighbors near the new project at 20th and
Hawthorne. We have also met with Gerding Edlin who is the developer.
HAND has proposed that the developer provide transit passes to tenants
as a means to encourage alternatives to car ownership. They (Gerding
Edlin) have discussed providing ZipCar memberships WITH USAGE for six
month to new tenants as a way to get them "hooked" on car sharing.
These are the kinds of demand management strategies that can make a
high density transit corridor workable.

On Jun 12, 9:00 pm, "MikeOnHawthorne&25th"

[Bob Richardson]

Two things -

1. I contacted a friend at TriMet who gave suggestions on who to
contact about an origin/destination study that was done in 2000. I
haven't had time to follow up on this yet, but it may be moot because:

2. TriMet just announced a survey of SE Portland bus ridership which
may be taken online. The results of this survey may be just what
we're looking for. See:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WZQfY1suHy2Ei0dUs_2fT5xw_3d_3d

- Bob Richardson

[MikeOnHawthorne&25th]

Thanks David, this is great information that I don't think I would've
otherwise known about. :) It's VERY encouraging to hear about these
kinds of ideas, and to use them as inspiration for current & future
discussions with other such developers and related parties. With more
such information sharing, it might even be possible to encourage semi-
consistent behaviours without having to put everyone through the pain
and aggravation of protests, laborious reviews and antagonistic
"public meetings". Robin and I experienced the latter approach in
Seattle to battle a monstrous development, and this way seems much
saner for everyone.

Cheers, Mike

On Jun 12, 10:39 pm, davidalankaplan <davidalankap...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[meagan...@yahoo.com]

I understand that this parking issue may be a hard selling point to
the community, but, truly, with this argument, aren't we missing the
point of having a street car in the first place? From my point of
view, having a street car line should limit the amount of driving
people need/want to do. In order to advance to a more eco-friendly and
population friendly place, limiting cars is a necessity, so why is
creating MORE parking one of the main points on the agenda?

I agree that parking during construction is a concern for businesses
on Hawthorne, but aside from that, Hawthorne residents need to suck it
up. I live at 31st and Hawthorne, right down the street from the
Hostel, no less, and there is ALWAYS plenty of on street parking. In
addition, there are at least two flexcars within a three block radius,
if I have a burning need to drive, which I seldom do.

Didn't we discuss that the Portland Plan is attempting to push the 20
minute city? Limiting car use and creating tranist friendly corridors
are ways for this to work while benefiting the community and the
earth. I don't see the logic is continuing to push an outdated mode of
travel. Hopefully, the time of 2+ cars per family and driving to most
destinations will soon become a thing of the past.

One more point - if parking did become such a problem (which I hope it
doesn't), couldn't we create a permit system for Hawthorne residents?
In denser cities where parking truly is limited, permits serve to
ensure residents are treated with priority when it comes to parking.

As for commuters driving to Hawthorne to park and ride the street car
- aren't we planning transportation hubs? It is a wise move to have
parking at major hubs to encourage people to drive to these places
instead of randomly choosing a street car stop in a place where it is
likely to disrupt the neighborhood.

Just some thoughts . . . thanks!

On Jun 12, 9:00 pm, "MikeOnHawthorne&25th"
<mikesmithloner...@gmail.com> wrote: