by Leo Suarez

How Free Is That Parking Outside of Downtown?

I thought this video was very interesting and brings up some great points. Although cities in New Zealand are used as examples the exact same principles apply right here. Soon, downtown Raleigh will install pay stations for on-street parking that has, mostly, been free for decades. What is not being talked about are the plans to lower or eliminate the minimum parking requirements (MPR) in downtown.

The video suggests that paying to park is like paying for what you use rather then buying goods at prices that factor in the cost of the MPR. In theory, eliminating MPR should lower prices and give the consumer more of a choice. That choice being to pay to park or use another mode of travel to avoid paying. The cost to provide that parking is not passed on to the consumer where it is in the “free” parking lots of the suburbs.

Interesting stuff!

by Leo Suarez

Capital Club Building lands new eatery – Business – NewsObserver.com

Jake Wolf, who previously served up Zuericher Geschnetzeltes and Schwammerlragout at Zum Schneider in New York City, and his wife, Shannon, have leased the space formerly occupied by Champa Thai Cafe in the Capital Club Building. Their restaurant, which will feature American fare, will be called Capital Club 16, said Tom Hendrickson, co-owner of the 12-story building along with his wife Jill.

via Capital Club Building lands new eatery – Business – NewsObserver.com.

by Leo Suarez

Poll: Bike Lanes In Downtown

Our last poll results are in for the two month long poll and the obvious is even more obvious. When asked about the activities that visitors generally do downtown, food and drink tops the list. With few major attractions in downtown, eating and drinking is the main draw. This all revolves around downtown’s growing nightlife crowd. If the residential population was larger then the poll may have had a different outcome. I was actually very surprised that no one voted for the Imax Theater. You do know we have one in downtown, right?

The newest poll comes after a recent (and cold) bike ride in downtown. There have been discussions about incorporating bike lanes with Hillsborough Street’s renovation in the section in front of NC State. This does not involve downtown but how would you feel about an increase of dedicated bike lanes on the streets?

The easiest implementation of them would be to mark the lanes separate from the car lanes next to them. We are a long way away from median separated bike lanes so this change would be a little drastic at first. I can see the argument for bike lanes but have always believed in traffic calming techniques so that cars and bicycles can share the lanes together. Cars are not always to blame when there is a bicycle/car accident and negligent cyclists put themselves at risk when they do not follow the rules of the road.

If you currently ride, what changes would enhance the experience? If don’t ride, what is keeping you from ditching the car and riding the couple miles to downtown?

by Leo Suarez

New Eats and Drink For 2010

The pictures say it all.

The Diner is opening where the former Hard Times Cafe is in Glenwood South. That outdoor patio that is just over the sidewalk is killer. I’ve always thought it was under-utilized and hopefully is as busy as the Mellow Mushroom patio on nice, sunny days. Go to their website for a sneak peek video.

Natty Greene’s is taking over the large warehouse in Powerhouse Plaza that once had Prime Only. Originally from Greenesboro, the brewery serves a good selection of beer but having never tried it, I’m hoping some of the readers can chime in and give us some insight.