I’d like to point out a few things relative to the garage parking events graphic from the parking report. Page 7 of the report shows that rates for meters and lots have increased more than the rate for structure parking since around early 2002, and the rate for both former categories has exceeded that of the structure rates since late 2003. I think that it’s reasonable to consider the possibility that demand for structure spaces has increased in part due to higher rates for metered and lot parking, especially in the period (Jan. 2005-Dec. 2009) covered by the events graph.

Another factor not considered is the increased enforcement of metered parking. I don’t know the timeline of changes in that policy area, but I think it would be interesting to throw into the analysis.

Likewise, I don’t remember the timing of the closing of the library surface lot or the beginning of construction around city hall that could have triggered increased use of the Ann-Ashley structure and others.

The report met the requirements of the settlement agreement, but I don’t think it’s useful in the context of this type of meeting coverage absent a broader analysis.

@7: To continue my thought on the inconsistent rate-increase rationale, it would help to know the answer in advance of the hearing so that feedback can be offered. Raising the question at the hearing won’t necessarily result in an explanation or possible consideration of an adjustment to the rate changes if the rationale is provided later, especially if no additional opportunity for public feedback is provided.

I use “public”, because I don’t consider an email or phone call to DDA board members (or council members, for that matter) to be adequate. The recipients won’t necessarily share the feedback with the public for further consideration or necessarily discuss it publicly prior to their vote at the subsequent meeting. Even emailing all members isn’t adequate to ensure public discourse. (This aspect of what I think some people have in mind when they call for “open government” and “public participation” seems to be lost on many.)

@9: We have a parking policy? Can you point to it?

We seem to be at cross-purposes with our parking policy in several ways. Is it the money? Is it access to the downtown? Or is it the promotion of certain types of business activity?

Steve, this chart goes through May of this year:
year-over-year go!pass ridership by month. Is that the kind of presentation you’d like (but updated)? Or do you have in mind a combined plot showing go!pass ridership and parking?

Also, since it’s not possible to comment on the Civic News Ticker post about the parking rate hearing, I’ll ask here: has any rationale been given for the difference in the percentage increases for monthly permit parking (less than 4%) versus the increases for other parking (about 9%)? The only comment on the notice of the hearing is that the increases don’t put our city’s rates out of line with those of comparable cities. I can imagine possible reasons for the difference, but I’d rather hear (or read) it than guess.

A phone call to First Martin confirmed that FMC owns the Greyhound station, as well as the other properties on that block.

Another resource for determining property ownership is to use the Washtenaw County online mapping website, which includes a “point identity” tool. Click on a parcel and it brings up relevant data on the parcel, including its owner: [screenshot]

While thinking about the 10 FMC downtown properties, I wondered if the Ann Arbor (Greyhound) Bus Station built in 1940 is one of them. I believe it is Ann Arbor’s only representative of a streamlined Art Deco (or Art Moderne?) style and it’s location on E. Huron is an important and interesting feature of the streetscape. Unfortunately, it is severely neglected, looking more and more dilapidated each year. Who is responsible? Can something be done about this?

The rules of the bond that paid for building the structure are pretty strict. The intent is to allow leased parking in some areas and hourly parking in others. Ms Pollay said something about leasing up-to 200 spaces. She’s used that figure several times in the past couple of years.

Of course, this is just what I remember.

Which brings to mind the line about “Other than the shooting Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?”

“[Midtown is the name of one of downtown's zoning overlay character districts, which includes Fifth Avenue as a civic corridor – .Ann Arbor SPARK director of talent enhancement); Ron Dankert (former DDA board member and broker with Swisher Commercial); " [Ed. note: a chunk was apparently obliterated during editing; now restored.]