D.C.
D.C.'s performance parking aims to encourage use of public transportation
It's all about supply and demand. In many neighborhoods in the District demand far exceeds supply.
One way to deal with that is to charge more for high demand parking spaces. The District calls it performance parking.
When demand goes up, so will the price.
"That's a drag, that's really not cool. It feels like they're taking advantage," says Iona Rozeal Brown, a Virginia resident.
The District has been experimenting with performance parking for a few years in isolated areas as a way to encourage people to use public transportation and to increase the availability of street parking.
The best example of performance parking is in the neighborhoods around nationals ballpark where on an average day parking costs $1 an hour at a meter but come game day it jumps to $8 an hour.
In just a few weeks, the cost of parking on the H Street corridor, where dozens of very popular bars have opened, will jump from 75 cents an hour during the day to $2 an hour at night
"I think it's a little bit of advantage taking. People come to this area to bring revenue and spend money," says Olivia Brown, a D.C. Resident
Others who only come into the city during the day like the idea.
"I'd like to think that those hours are more reasonably priced and they are,” says John Silbermann, a Virginia commuter.
But some merchants would prefer the old days when parking was cheap during the day and free at night.
"No it's not going to help the businesses,” says Mo Abdi, an H Street merchant. “Because people don't want to get a ticket, someone comes to buy a shirt and they get a $35 ticket, you like that?”
The District plans on expanding performance parking to 10 more neighborhoods by early next year. While the District Department of Transportation won't say which neighborhoods are on the list, Dupont Circle, Georgetown and Van Ness are being considered.
Officials say any areas near stadiums, shopping, bars or universities are prime targets for the new parking fees.
Would you like to contribute to this story? Join the discussion.
RecommendedRecent Facebook Activity
Only On 7
-
Leon Harris and Alison Starling weeknights on ABC7
For all the breaking stories happening in your neighborhood and developing stories happening around the world, join Leon Harris and Alison Starling weeknights on ABC7 News at 5 and 11.
TBD Blogs What you need to read
-
@TBD Arts
Tonight: JD McPherson's 'Signs and Signifiers'
-
@TBD On Foot
A close reading of a D.C. commute
Best of TBD In case you missed it
-
Food truck frenzy
Billed as the biggest food truck assembly to ever happen in D.C., "Curbside Cookoff: Trucko De Mayo" took place on Saturday with at least 40 vendors.
Photo Galleries Pictures from around the region
-
PHOTOS: Capital Pride parade, festival
-
Maine Avenue Fish Market: Fresh fish for sale under a D.C. bridge
-
National Puppy Day photos: Celebrating the sweetness of dogs






16 Comments
MORE COMMENTSPost a Comment