Comments for My Wheels are Turning http://mywheelsareturning.com Walking, Biking, Getting Around in Northern Michigan & Beyond Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:35:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on A use for all of those unused pallets by GLHowe http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/29/a-use-for-all-of-those-unused-pallets/#comment-979 GLHowe Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:35:20 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5785#comment-979 Wow..David is the perfect match to this project. Wow..David is the perfect match to this project.

]]> Comment on A use for all of those unused pallets by The Mom http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/29/a-use-for-all-of-those-unused-pallets/#comment-978 The Mom Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:31:56 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5785#comment-978 Very Cool, we've been thinking of building some sort of structure in our front yard to block the road, but also invite folks walking by to stop for a rest... hmmmm, I wonder what David will think... Thanks for posting. Very Cool, we’ve been thinking of building some sort of structure in our front yard to block the road, but also invite folks walking by to stop for a rest… hmmmm, I wonder what David will think… Thanks for posting.

]]> Comment on The parking-deck party & a discussion on roundabouts on the schedule by GLHowe http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/26/the-parking-deck-party-a-discussion-on-roundabouts-on-the-schedule/#comment-977 GLHowe Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:04:43 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5759#comment-977 Matt, my estimates are from a couple of sources that give a general cost of a parking deck. <em>Admittedly I have no experience whats-so-ever in managing a p-deck and claim no expertise</em>, but from my reading the conservative average maintenance/operation cost that I kept seeing was $650 per space per year for a multistory deck like ours. At a minimum, someone has to be paid to do the sweeping. TC may indeed spend less. Or, maybe more. I also factor in the cost of building the structure per space for the life of the park, estimated at 30-40 years. I'm sure the DDA would be willing to share their P-Deck budget with us, so I'll try to stop in there soon. The costs associated must include labor, elevator operation/service, line painting and boom gate upkeep to think of a few. From a quick perusal, they also need to be checked for stresses due to the nature of their use: holding heavy vehicles. Actually, preventive maintenance seems to be key with p-decks to avoid escalating costs, similar to the dilemma we now face with our roads, streets, bridges. It's really quite an industry. Matt, my estimates are from a couple of sources that give a general cost of a parking deck. Admittedly I have no experience whats-so-ever in managing a p-deck and claim no expertise, but from my reading the conservative average maintenance/operation cost that I kept seeing was $650 per space per year for a multistory deck like ours. At a minimum, someone has to be paid to do the sweeping. TC may indeed spend less. Or, maybe more. I also factor in the cost of building the structure per space for the life of the park, estimated at 30-40 years. I’m sure the DDA would be willing to share their P-Deck budget with us, so I’ll try to stop in there soon.

The costs associated must include labor, elevator operation/service, line painting and boom gate upkeep to think of a few. From a quick perusal, they also need to be checked for stresses due to the nature of their use: holding heavy vehicles. Actually, preventive maintenance seems to be key with p-decks to avoid escalating costs, similar to the dilemma we now face with our roads, streets, bridges. It’s really quite an industry.

]]> Comment on The parking-deck party & a discussion on roundabouts on the schedule by Matt Ross http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/26/the-parking-deck-party-a-discussion-on-roundabouts-on-the-schedule/#comment-975 Matt Ross Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:15:19 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5759#comment-975 I would like to know why it cost so much to maintain a parking space. I have a cement slab I park on at home, and all I need to do is sweep the dirt or shovel the snow off of it! I would like to know why it cost so much to maintain a parking space. I have a cement slab I park on at home, and all I need to do is sweep the dirt or shovel the snow off of it!

]]> Comment on Editor’s Profile by GLHowe http://mywheelsareturning.com/about/profile/#comment-972 GLHowe Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:56:18 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?page_id=22#comment-972 Great information and thank you for taking the initiative to contact me, Craig. I'll be updating the map soon with the new information. The opposition to this simple traffic tool, although it fits the pattern, is still surprising considering the amount of information and success regarding the modern roundabout. The more the public can hear from communities that have them, like them, and continue to expand their use is beneficial. In particular, positive messages from road commissions and traffic engineers is appreciated; send more this way if you could! Great information and thank you for taking the initiative to contact me, Craig. I’ll be updating the map soon with the new information. The opposition to this simple traffic tool, although it fits the pattern, is still surprising considering the amount of information and success regarding the modern roundabout. The more the public can hear from communities that have them, like them, and continue to expand their use is beneficial. In particular, positive messages from road commissions and traffic engineers is appreciated; send more this way if you could!

]]> Comment on The parking-deck party & a discussion on roundabouts on the schedule by Bill Palladino http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/26/the-parking-deck-party-a-discussion-on-roundabouts-on-the-schedule/#comment-969 Bill Palladino Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:04:59 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5759#comment-969 I’m thinking Hans’ idea of having you lighten up is a bit in the wrong direction. You are doing a service right now. Strong voices are needed from all who would speak out. I welcome the heavy load. As a Midtown neighborhood resident, I’m all for the parking deck… that is not the issue. What is problematic, and the thing I believe Gary has pointed out well here, is that parking decks by themselves do not solve the problems they are built to solve. Along with the bricks and mortar and solar panels, there need to be policies and practices outside the confines of the deck that reinforce the values and behaviors the deck is supposed to represent. Gary’s right on point. Why would anyone choose to park in a parking deck if the penalty for parking on Front Street and other valuable downtown streets is barely the cost of a day’s fee? If the parking deck, and the others already built or yet to come are to work we need brave policies and informed citizens. It’s an integrative process. One simply does not work without the other. It starts with raising meter fees, then raising civil infraction penalties, encouraging high-occupancy-vehicles, and creating a real benefit for businesses, their employees, and customers to choose least-impact transportation methods. Not to offend people or push them away, but to create the kind of vehicular parking behavior that the City needs. If I have an issue with the parking decks in Downtown it is that they come with no real comprehensive and integrated strategy for implementation beyond financing their construction. And that I’ll admit was daunting in itself. I want to see a comprehensive surface transit strategy, a plan for the city and how it will treat parking now that it’s got all those new spaces. What have we gained in public space by building the decks? It’s a fair question. I would love to see the City celebrate the deck (as Hans says) by committing to removing several downtown parking spaces and replacing them with public seating, bike racks, more trees, or dog parks. And I don’t expect it today, but I would like to know there’s a plan to reflect the change in use of public property. I’m thinking Hans’ idea of having you lighten up is a bit in the wrong direction. You are doing a service right now. Strong voices are needed from all who would speak out. I welcome the heavy load.

As a Midtown neighborhood resident, I’m all for the parking deck… that is not the issue. What is problematic, and the thing I believe Gary has pointed out well here, is that parking decks by themselves do not solve the problems they are built to solve. Along with the bricks and mortar and solar panels, there need to be policies and practices outside the confines of the deck that reinforce the values and behaviors the deck is supposed to represent.

Gary’s right on point. Why would anyone choose to park in a parking deck if the penalty for parking on Front Street and other valuable downtown streets is barely the cost of a day’s fee? If the parking deck, and the others already built or yet to come are to work we need brave policies and informed citizens. It’s an integrative process. One simply does not work without the other. It starts with raising meter fees, then raising civil infraction penalties, encouraging high-occupancy-vehicles, and creating a real benefit for businesses, their employees, and customers to choose least-impact transportation methods. Not to offend people or push them away, but to create the kind of vehicular parking behavior that the City needs.

If I have an issue with the parking decks in Downtown it is that they come with no real comprehensive and integrated strategy for implementation beyond financing their construction. And that I’ll admit was daunting in itself. I want to see a comprehensive surface transit strategy, a plan for the city and how it will treat parking now that it’s got all those new spaces. What have we gained in public space by building the decks? It’s a fair question. I would love to see the City celebrate the deck (as Hans says) by committing to removing several downtown parking spaces and replacing them with public seating, bike racks, more trees, or dog parks. And I don’t expect it today, but I would like to know there’s a plan to reflect the change in use of public property.

]]> Comment on You take up too much space! by Curtis Cummins http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/27/cargo-bikes-parking/#comment-963 Curtis Cummins Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:44:04 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5703#comment-963 Gary, If you pedal, I'd love to hang out in the front coach! Gary,
If you pedal, I’d love to hang out in the front coach!

]]> Comment on The parking-deck party & a discussion on roundabouts on the schedule by Laura Otwell http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/26/the-parking-deck-party-a-discussion-on-roundabouts-on-the-schedule/#comment-959 Laura Otwell Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:41:03 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5759#comment-959 Great piece Gary. Your voice is needed at a time when folks think there is never enough parking. When the Hardy deck was proposed, it seemed like a good idea, even good land use, touting stacking vehicles and ridding our downtown of unsightly surface parking. With the opening of the third public deck (lets not forget the one at Munson Hospital) there has been virtually no reduction in surface parking. Perhaps the newest deck would be easier to get excited about if there was any kind of balanced transportation funding. How about a $6 million deck, with another million put to transit and another million put to bicycle facilities. Parking for private automobiles seems to be the greatest single outlay of public funds these days. Quite a legacy left for our children. Great piece Gary. Your voice is needed at a time when folks think there is never enough parking. When the Hardy deck was proposed, it seemed like a good idea, even good land use, touting stacking vehicles and ridding our downtown of unsightly surface parking. With the opening of the third public deck (lets not forget the one at Munson Hospital) there has been virtually no reduction in surface parking.

Perhaps the newest deck would be easier to get excited about if there was any kind of balanced transportation funding. How about a $6 million deck, with another million put to transit and another million put to bicycle facilities. Parking for private automobiles seems to be the greatest single outlay of public funds these days. Quite a legacy left for our children.

]]> Comment on Editor’s Profile by Craig Bryson http://mywheelsareturning.com/about/profile/#comment-948 Craig Bryson Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:16:37 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?page_id=22#comment-948 Hi Gary. I'm the PIO at the Road Commission for Oakland County. Nice site! BTW, I note that you are not including 6 or 8 of our roundabouts here in Oakland County on your map. Also, we have a great video and lots of materials on roundabouts that you might be interested in. If you can send me your e-mail, I'll provide a comprehensive list of roundabouts in Oakland County as well as our video and materials (Much of this is also available on our Web site). Thanks! Craig Bryson, APR Public Information Officer Road Commission for Oakland County 31001 Lahser Road Beverly Hills, MI 48025 (248) 645-2000, ext. 2302 cbryson@rcoc.org Hi Gary.

I’m the PIO at the Road Commission for Oakland County. Nice site! BTW, I note that you are not including 6 or 8 of our roundabouts here in Oakland County on your map. Also, we have a great video and lots of materials on roundabouts that you might be interested in. If you can send me your e-mail, I’ll provide a comprehensive list of roundabouts in Oakland County as well as our video and materials (Much of this is also available on our Web site).

Thanks!
Craig Bryson, APR
Public Information Officer
Road Commission for Oakland County
31001 Lahser Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025
(248) 645-2000, ext. 2302
cbryson@rcoc.org

]]> Comment on The parking-deck party & a discussion on roundabouts on the schedule by Hans Voss http://mywheelsareturning.com/2010/07/26/the-parking-deck-party-a-discussion-on-roundabouts-on-the-schedule/#comment-931 Hans Voss Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:45:02 +0000 http://mywheelsareturning.com/?p=5759#comment-931 Lighten up Gary! This is key piece of urban infrastructure that will, over the long term, support increase density and walkability, not too mention the local economy. Get a glass of parking deck cool-aid, celebrate with your neighbors and downtown businesses, and then let's get to work together on what else the community needs to reach each potential. Lighten up Gary! This is key piece of urban infrastructure that will, over the long term, support increase density and walkability, not too mention the local economy. Get a glass of parking deck cool-aid, celebrate with your neighbors and downtown businesses, and then let’s get to work together on what else the community needs to reach each potential.

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