as excessive and polluted storm runoff and urban heat islands, I want to focus on two main impacts: the reduced appeal and effectiveness of walking and the terrific financial burden our obsession with parking places on both the private and public sector. The negative impacts on walking as a means of mobility and access are pretty obvious. Massive on-site parking supply pushes destinations apart, meaning fewer destinations are available within a reasonable walking distance, diminishing the practicality of getting around on foot. Off-street parking facilities are also generally unpleasant to walk next to or through, reducing the qualitative experience of being a pedestrian as well. With such conditions, even folks who might not be predisposed against walking will be more likely to drive to and between their destinations (thus creating more traffic and pollution). In short, excessive on-site parking and walkable environments are not terribly compatible. Of course, the traffic congestion and health impacts are becoming more widely known as consequences of a lack of walkability. Not to mention the burden placed on those who walk because, for whatever reason, they’re unable to drive. Finally, from a more purely qualitative perspective, there are those who actually like walking in cities and who are denied that experience. The negative impact of the financial burden of excessive and poorly located parking may be even more pernicious, however. It would be silly to declare parking unnecessary at the present time, especially for most commercial uses in Houston; our relatively lower densities and sparse public transit network (hopefully being improved now) mean that outside of the Central Business District parking is necessary for a sufficient number of employees, customers, and visitors to access destinations. But onsite parking, mandated by Houston city code (outside the CBD) and perceived as necessary regardless of code by most developers, comes at great cost – it takes extra money to build parking, not to mention to acquire and use the underlying land for that purpose. What ends up happening is that enormous resources are spent purely for vehicle storage, rather than using that capital and land for actual economic activity. Where does the Houston economy actually take place? Usually in buildings, not in parking lots or garages— yet how much underutilized financial resources are locked
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PARKING TIPS TO LIVE BY
ONE
FIVE AVOID COMMERCIAL METERS Commercial meters (usually painted red) designate parking spots for commercial vehicles (with company logos displayed) only. Most likely, if someone is parked in these spots, it’s because they already have a commercial permit for the spot. If you don’t have a commercial permit, think twice about parking in these spots.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO STREET SIGNS Some metered areas magically turn into tow-away zones between 7–9 am and 4–6 pm on weekdays. Be sure to read signs carefully as many streets have special tow-away, truck loading zones and commercial zones. If you park in any of these areas, you will be towed.
TWO AVOID SPOTS WITH RED MARKINGS If a curb is painted red, there are red stripes on the street, or a meter has a red bag over it, the designated spots are off limits at all times (including after 6 pm when parking is free).
SIX USE HIGH-TECH PARKING METERS Most of Downtown has easy-to-use smart meters! No more digging change out from between your car seats. These meters take dollar bills, credit cards and some even allow you to pay by phone via apps like Parkmobile and Parkbytext. The meters also won’t accept money or mobile payments if you’re trying to use the meter when it is off limits (see Tip 1) or if parking is free at the time (see Tip 4).
SEVEN THREE BE AWARE OF TIME LIMITS Most Downtown meters have a threehour time limit, which means you cannot park in the designated spot for more than three hours at a time without getting a ticket. At the end of the three hours, you must move your car to a completely different zone (not just to the spot in front of or behind you). Note: Most meters have a green sticker on them with a four or five digit number indicating the parking zone you are in.
PURCHASE A DOWNTOWN HOPPER PASS When purchasing a Downtown Hopper Pass you pay a one-time daily fee that allows you to move from block to block or meter to meter throughout Downtown without having to pay the meter each time. Time limits still apply (see Tip 3).
EIGHT EXPLORE DOWNTOWN BY FOOT
FOUR ENJOY FREE PARKING On-street parking Downtown is FREE Monday–Friday from 6 pm–7 am and all day Sunday. Again, beware of red markings (see Tip 2)!
Contrary to popular belief, Downtown Houston is walkable! Most of Downtown’s popular destinations are never more than a 5-10 minute walk from each other. For example, you can easily park in the Historic District, grab a drink at one of the neighborhood bars then walk to Sundance Cinemas at Bayou Place to see the latest indie flick. Walking is more fun, adventurous, and not to mention, lighter on your pocketbook!