Reply to S/O What should MoCo do about parking in downtown Bethesda

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Things change. A lot of the free surface parking in Bethesda has been converted to underground, paid parking. This will change even more in the coming years when the area behind the cooperative is redeveloped and eventually, I assume, the Stroschneider's strip mall will be redeveloped.

It is what it is, and the businesses will adapt to it.

[/quote]

Underground parking is still parking.  That is a change that properly balances the need for greater density with the continued need for parking.

You say businesses will adapt, but the issue is making good sure customers can get to the businesses.  If customers can't reach the business, the way to adapt is to go online, but online stores don't contribute to a vibrant urban environment.[/quote]

Amazon and the internet have changed retail permanently, and now our physical development is adapting to it. Underground parking is still parking. Maybe Baby Boomers demand free and open parking on demand, but the rest of us understand that parking has costs, and they need to be paid, either by the County, the property owner or the consumer, or some combination of all 3.[/quote]

I don't disagree with that.

In terms of Amazon/the internet, it has changed retail and made it I much more difficult environment to survive, leading to a lot of vacancies in many areas, including downtown Bethesda.  Because I think we all believe an active retain segment is beneficial for a variety of reasons, policymakers should be wary of taking even further measures that will harm the retail sector -- such as significantly reducing parking.  That doesn't mean that there should be plentiful, free, surface lots -- not all.  But it does mean not substantially reducing parking or making parking expenses enough so that most people will not use it.  (Exactly where that line can be debated.)[/quote]

I'm a newcomer to the Bethesda area, and was shocked that MoCo doesn't charge for parking on weekends.  Seems like a lost opportunity for additional revenue (it doesn't have to be expensive, 1-2$/hr).[/quote]

They do for street parking, just not in lots and garages. That's done to encourage people to park in lots and garages.

During weekdays, parking in Bethesda is charged until 10pm.[/quote]

I've only parked in a County garage in Bethesda maybe once or twice.  IIRC there were plenty of spaces.  Are there always spaces available on weekends, despite it being free?

As an economist, that suggests that it should remain free - the market clearing price is zero - to put it another way, it provides value to people parking at no incremental cost, and putting on a fee would reduce that value.  (that ignores both the external costs of people driving in, and the benefits to retail, which as a swag I am assuming balance out)

But it also suggests that building more off street spots is probably not worthwhile, as the demand is simply not that great.  [/quote]

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