Bullock Texas State History Museum
Envision the Future; Don't Surrender to the Past
RECEIVED Tue., Oct. 21, 2008
Dear Editor,
Sometimes the city anticipates the market and eases our way into the future. An example is the plug-in hybrid visible at the AltCar Expo [“Naked City,” News, Oct. 17] held at Palmer. Sometimes, however, the city does just the opposite. When it comes to Downtown parking, the city could 1) restrict the creation of new parking spaces Downtown (as Portland, Ore., did), 2) take a hands-off approach, or 3) require businesses, such as the Emerald City Press ["Emerald City Press," News, Oct. 3] to provide costly parking – the cost of which will be borne by all customers, even if they choose to walk, bike, or ride the bus. As the number of the city's Downtown residents soars, the city should encourage them to walk or bike. Forcing them to pay for parking spaces they don't use is hardly the way to do this.
Sometimes the city anticipates the market and eases our way into the future. An example is the plug-in hybrid visible at the AltCar Expo [“Naked City,” News, Oct. 17] held at Palmer. Sometimes, however, the city does just the opposite. When it comes to Downtown parking, the city could 1) restrict the creation of new parking spaces Downtown (as Portland, Ore., did), 2) take a hands-off approach, or 3) require businesses, such as the Emerald City Press ["Emerald City Press," News, Oct. 3] to provide costly parking – the cost of which will be borne by all customers, even if they choose to walk, bike, or ride the bus. As the number of the city's Downtown residents soars, the city should encourage them to walk or bike. Forcing them to pay for parking spaces they don't use is hardly the way to do this.
Philip Russell
