We don’t have a parking problem, we have a walking problem
By Matt Browne
Hoot ‘n Annie
The top three things I hear people complain about in Paso Robles are the parking (lack thereof), water, and some of the streets that need repair. I do agree that we have a water issue and I also agree there are many streets that need to be repaired but I have changed my mind on the parking issue downtown.
If I recall correctly, there was a group years ago that did a study of Paso’s parking downtown and when the study was complete the overall point was that we do not have a parking problem, we have a walking problem.
There have been many ideas brought up over the years about turning this site into a parking structure or that site into a parking lot but none have come through. The thing is, people will always complain. “There isn’t enough parking downtown”. “A parking structure would be ugly and we need to keep Paso small”. “We’re growing too fast”.
I’m sure you’ve heard all of this and more. It’s probably similar in many towns around the country. Here’s the deal, cities grow. Ideal little towns like Paso grow because, well, they are ideal. It’s a beautiful area with wine, food, art, live music, and amazing outdoor activity. It’s centrally located between Los Angeles and San Francisco. We’re not far from mountains, skiing, camping, beaches, and so on.
I agree that we don’t want to grow too fast but I also disagree with a no growth policy. I also believe there is a way for everyone to come together productively rather than simply complaining. With that comes the need to be open minded and know that we can’t always get our way and should work together in order to move forward and on to the next issue.
That said I know the complaining and bickering will continue because some people are stubborn and refuse to educate themselves on the issues. I know that open mindedness is rare and selfishness is not. There is a bigger picture here and it is not just about you or me. It’s about honoring the history of Paso while responsibly building Paso from here on out in order to maintain the character unique to this area. This is possible but in the end probably won’t happen because people often refuse to work together.
I hope I’m wrong though.
So back to the parking. I too used to get frustrated driving around the park because I wanted to park directly in front of where I was going in to eat or shop. First world problems eh?
Here are some solutions for those that complain like I used to:
1) Don’t go downtown
2) Get a ride from someone so you can just be dropped off
3) Park a block or three away from the park and appreciate the walk. You love Paso right? Enjoy the stroll in our beautiful downtown. Change your negative perspective into a positive one.
4) When you go to San Francisco you know you will be walking, so adjust your thinking on Paso.
5) Go downtown earlier so you’ll have more parking options
These are just a few options but I’m sure there are more. Here’s what I know, complaining about parking (or anything else for that matter) is not making the situation better. If you have an issue with parking and feel you might have a good idea to solve it…go to the City Council. Whether we like it or not that is the system in which we live and you can choose that path to voice your thoughts.
The takeaway: Complaining, in general, sucks and seems to be a waste of time. Complaining does not solve anything but it does show you for who you are. We all live in this community together…let’s find a way to make things work. Downtown parking is the least of our worries…unless of course you’re lazy or feeling entitled today.
Author Matt Browne is a writer and local wine aficionado who publishes the Hoot ‘n Annie wine blog.
The parking problem is due to the fact that people that live downtown park in prime parking. If you have ever sat in the park and watch the cars that are parked, you will find that they don't move. Could be 5 to 8 hrs.
OK, Matt, I will let my folks know, who are in their 70's, that you think they need to park a few blocks and walk in the 100 degree heat and not to be lazy or feel entitled, to get their lunch or dinner… REALLY DUDE!!!! Come on man! Instead of catering to the tourists, try catering to the residents. All I know is Hayward lumber would have been a perfect place for a structure! If my folks, me or anyone else who lives in Paso wanted to be in a big city like Frisco, and walk, well they would probably live there.. Anyway, I hope nobody ever sees your or your family's car parked downtown cause they may call you a LAZY, HYPOCRITE! LOL! By the way to all you entitled, lazy ass Paso Roblians, quit trying to park downtown, geez!!!! (DUH)
Really! Just don't go downtown! I'm sure those restaurants enjoy that idea….S.M.H.
I seldom go downtown because there isn't much there to draw me. A couple relatively good restaurants, Studios on the Park, and a movie now and then. That's about it. But when I do parking is usually annoying full.
How about a parking structure (or two) on the periphery and a cute little shuttle bus that would reliably run around the downtown area, with plenty of stops at all the corners around the park and the "hot spots"? Not everybody that comes to Paso (or lives here) is 30 years old and capable of hoofing it all around downtown (or "uptown" as the City Fathers would have it) in the heat, wind, etc. Win-win folks! Think outside the box and don't act like it's okay to punish people for wanting to spend their money in our downtown area.
While I enjoy walking around downtown and taking my time visiting different businesses, parking becomes an issue for some who don't have a lot of free time. I feel for others like me who have attempted to spend their money locally at a downtown business on their lunch break. No parking nearby means not enough time to actually patronize some of the businesses. Same goes for restaurants…If I'm short on time, I go elsewhere.
Wow! I agree with you! And Erik my dad is 88 and he likes to walk! Says it keeps him young!
Are you crazy? I use to live downtown and I completely disagree with this article! Most people who own a home downtown are not gifted with a garage so allowing people to park 3 blocks away also required me to park further from my home! Also, there are an estimated over 300 people that work downtown and one designated parking spot on the corner of Pine st and 12th street that houses maybe cars. Since in order to guarantee yourself a spot you have to get there before 11am otherwise good luck! Whether you like it or not we were born and bred as innovative creatures and the world is changing. More people are visiting and moving here and we need to keep up with the demand. If you want to help out your small business owners, the last thing you need to be "complaining" about is people complaining…besides the city could use the tax benefits 🙂
If the parking spots around the park were made, say, 3-hour max, that would stop people from parking there all day. Hire a meter-maid to issue parking tickets.
So you don't want Paso to be ugly with parking structures like say…Santa Barbara which has 13 such structures that allow thousands of people to shop and spend money in an otherwise very condensed downtown. Get on board with economic realities and build em already…
Erik, I think you're a little off base. Your parents in their 70's should be using handicapped parking, which I think most people would agree is in too short supply in downtown Paso. That said, you're twisting Matt's argument… Most of us are able-bodied and a couple of blocks is no big deal. Matt uses examples like SF because they are walking cities, but you know what? So are lots of small towns. You know what aren't walking cities? With lots of big structures, etc, cluttering up the area …? Fresno. Bakersfield. Those are *car* towns where people have to drive everywhere and there are giant parking lots all over the place. Can you imagine a worse fate for Paso than that?
Paso has had a parking problem for a long time!
Wow, your parking options are COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS! You suggest to park a block or two or three away and walk?? Even at 3 blocks in any direction there is NO PARKING!!! I think most would agree, (locals and tourists) we need a parking structure!! It cant look any worse than the super large street corners and that spiffy new bathroom for our wine park…Im just saying not building a needed parking garage is not going to control growth, it just simply will make lives a little easier for us locals that would like to enjoy OUR town also. Plus, the money generated fron parking could be used toward fixing all our cobble stone streets….just a thought!
The council allowed the proposed Pine Street Promenade project to present a project application that includes use of some city property (bus parking area) at the Train Station. The project is located at the old Hayward Lumber property downtown. It includes a 100+-room full service destination hotel, market, spa, conference facility, restaurant and parking. It is also proposed to include a performing arts facility, approximately 500-seats – similar to the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande. In conjunction with the performing arts center, a 240-space parking structure is proposed – it is the parking structure that may use the city property and provide public parking in addition to arts center parking
As a mobile service technician, parking downtown when I need to work and service customers is a hassle. Shops don't open til 9 or 10. Parking spaces are already full! I shouldn't have to walk 3 blocks to service a customer that will only take 10 minutes, tops. When Hayward closed I stated that should be made into a paid parking structure or atleast a paid parking lot…. revenue!
Lindsay ML Thanks for your comment. Yes, that is why I brought up SF. They have a parking issue but it has turned into a walking city. Paso is the same in that respect. I think we live in a beautiful town and if we have to walk 1 to 3 blocks I don't see that as a big deal. I've lived in many different cities, small and large, and in every one I have had to park away from where I wanted to go at some point. It's just normal. 🙂
Sadly, it's unlikely that we will ever see a parking structure or performing arts center. This is part of Phase Two of the development, and I'll bet that Phase Two was added to get the project approved. Since neither (parking structure or arts center) is a money maker, they will be dropped after the hotel, etc. is built or the project is sold to another developer.
Remember, the present developers have never built anything in their lives– a clue to the probability that they will sell the whole project once they get final approval.
It's all part of a bait and switch strategy that the City Planning Commission either accepts or has not caught onto yet. Remember the Golden Hill RV park sold to the public as an elite RV park, then sold to an out of town developer and approved by the Planners as an ordinary RV facility?
Erik I think your comment is perfect 🙂 We need to stop catering to the tourist and more to the locals. And I am glad Matt can walk a few but older people can't 🙁
I work in Paso (in a rural area). Sadly, going downtown after work is not an option. Having lived in SF and NYC, I can say that I love walking, taking public transportation and "appreciating the walk." Two weeks ago I tried doing this on a Thursday evening to no avail (I went as deep as 20th street and still no luck). There is absolutely no where to park. Unlike big cities, Paso has zero infrastructure to support this dreamy notion of parking and walking. The amount of money the city could make from a structure on Riverside or down Park St. would be a great opportunity to help fix roads, beef up transportation and allow downtown to be accessible for both tourists and locals alike.
Jessica Lederer Without tourists where would Paso be? No wine industry means no restaurants, no revenue, etc. We have what we have downtown due to tourism. Aside from that it's too late, we can't get rid of it so we have to deal with what is here and come up with other solutions. As for walking…I agree, folks that struggle with walking should be helped and there are ways of doing that. I'm not opposed to more parking but I've never lived anywhere that did not have some parking issues. It's natural. So we can complain about it or do something about it.
Wow! Look at the responses — so much for suggesting that people shouldn't complain!
Have the downtown employees park in a designated area. I think the employees are taking up the a lot of the parking spaces.
I am feeling lazy and entitled today and still not worrying about the parking downtown, go figure!
Great article Matt that if nothing else, has people talking. The reality is, we really do need a large parking structure. It doesn't have to be right there in Downtown and in fact, could be a few blocks away or more, so as not to take away from Paso's charm. I don't like parking meters but comments about putting them in are worth considering because I've noticed often that most cars are parked in Downtown all day.
Jessica Lederer Personally I don't think it's about the tourists … I think catering to the tourists would be having a trolley or something silly like that. Since when is walking a tourist thing? I am multi-generational local, I do not care about tourists who walk vs don't walk. What I don't want is a bunch of lazy people convincing the city to become even more "car friendly." What we need are bike lines, wide sidewalks, and trees… not parking lots.
To be honest I live in Paso and have never really had that much trouble with parking downtown. Save fair time, I've always been able to find a spot reasonably close (within two blocks) and fairly quickly (within ten minutes). I feel for people who are apparently cursed with never finding parking, but it's hard to be sympathetic when I have seen multiple spots around 14th pretty much every time I've gone downtown. And Paso has small blocks!
Lindsay ML , what on God's green earth makes you think my parents need handicap placards?? They walk and move perfectly fine, play golf, work etc…!!! Those should be issued ONLY for people who need them! They just like me may not want to walk a mile or even three blocks to eat, shop, go to the park or anything else! And because we may not want to do that doesn't make us lazy or entitled!!
Nope, it doesn't make you lazy or entitled. In my article I was talking abut the people that are lazy and entitled. Those are the people I have dealt with in my experience.
Erik M McCornack again perfectly said 🙂
Erik M McCornack I think if someone can't walk a couple blocks because of physical reasons, they should talk to their doctor and have their needs met (via a disability placard or otherwise). And honestly, a mile? The blocks in Paso Robles are so very, very small. Not to mention I'd bet money I could go to Amsterdam downtown right now and park almost directly in front of it, no problem. When people say, "There's no parking!" they mean "There's no parking directly around the park!" Unless we decide we want to pave the park over for parking spots, there can't be more spaces there. I don't know why people think a garage will save them from walking — it won't. It will *still* be not directly in the middle of downtown.
Also! Since we're all screaming about parking, we should be screaming about all the wild cats that have been running around the downtown park, ah pissin' and a washin' their cat pee all over the park. My daughter was attacked by 3-4 of these mangy felines when she was only 5 feet ahead of me. WE MUST TAKE OUR TOWN BACK FROM THE FELINES!
I had to park at Wal Mart, JUST so I could go to the Red Scooter and get my Mean Leany Fettuccine sandwich. Turns out all the parking was took fer the Adam Sandler movie. Anyway, when I made it to the Red Scooter, she was closed!
At this point, it was clear that today was not the day for a Mean Leany Fettuccine so I headed back to my car (parked at Wal Mart, mind you) when, to my surprise, I was attacked by those MANGY FELINES NEAR THE PARK!!
I agree with you Mark. I'll bet a huge percentage of the cars in the AM are employee's. Why can't the City pave a large vacant lot and shuttle employees back and forth as needed. It works in LA. I know the City would prefer the revenue of selling or leasing the lot, but if they want the stores downtown to survive, they better do something…and fast!!
Oh I didn't mention a few commercial zones would be nice
Love the idea of walking! Have you ever tried to cross the street on 13th? So, what to do? Slow traffic, "Pedestrianize Downtown", plant shade trees, provide benches. Let's get this right and let's get it right now before we lose the chance to hold on to our lovely small town atmosphere. Make it safe for walking, make it pleasant, make it inviting to shop and they will come.
Erik, you missed the boat. I wish you knew how poor the city's choices have been in the past. I am glad your folks are able to walk past all the employees parked in the prime spots downtown. I have private parking because the city was not interested in making it public.
The parking problem is due to the fact that people that live downtown park in prime parking. If you have ever sat in the park and watch the cars that are parked, you will find that they don't move. Could be 5 to 8 hrs.
OK, Matt, I will let my folks know, who are in their 70's, that you think they need to park a few blocks and walk in the 100 degree heat and not to be lazy or feel entitled, to get their lunch or dinner… REALLY DUDE!!!! Come on man! Instead of catering to the tourists, try catering to the residents. All I know is Hayward lumber would have been a perfect place for a structure! If my folks, me or anyone else who lives in Paso wanted to be in a big city like Frisco, and walk, well they would probably live there.. Anyway, I hope nobody ever sees your or your family's car parked downtown cause they may call you a LAZY, HYPOCRITE! LOL! By the way to all you entitled, lazy ass Paso Roblians, quit trying to park downtown, geez!!!! (DUH)
Really! Just don't go downtown! I'm sure those restaurants enjoy that idea….S.M.H.
I seldom go downtown because there isn't much there to draw me. A couple relatively good restaurants, Studios on the Park, and a movie now and then. That's about it. But when I do parking is usually annoying full.
How about a parking structure (or two) on the periphery and a cute little shuttle bus that would reliably run around the downtown area, with plenty of stops at all the corners around the park and the "hot spots"? Not everybody that comes to Paso (or lives here) is 30 years old and capable of hoofing it all around downtown (or "uptown" as the City Fathers would have it) in the heat, wind, etc. Win-win folks! Think outside the box and don't act like it's okay to punish people for wanting to spend their money in our downtown area.
While I enjoy walking around downtown and taking my time visiting different businesses, parking becomes an issue for some who don't have a lot of free time. I feel for others like me who have attempted to spend their money locally at a downtown business on their lunch break. No parking nearby means not enough time to actually patronize some of the businesses. Same goes for restaurants…If I'm short on time, I go elsewhere.
Wow! I agree with you! And Erik my dad is 88 and he likes to walk! Says it keeps him young!
Are you crazy? I use to live downtown and I completely disagree with this article! Most people who own a home downtown are not gifted with a garage so allowing people to park 3 blocks away also required me to park further from my home! Also, there are an estimated over 300 people that work downtown and one designated parking spot on the corner of Pine st and 12th street that houses maybe cars. Since in order to guarantee yourself a spot you have to get there before 11am otherwise good luck! Whether you like it or not we were born and bred as innovative creatures and the world is changing. More people are visiting and moving here and we need to keep up with the demand. If you want to help out your small business owners, the last thing you need to be "complaining" about is people complaining…besides the city could use the tax benefits 🙂
If the parking spots around the park were made, say, 3-hour max, that would stop people from parking there all day. Hire a meter-maid to issue parking tickets.
So you don't want Paso to be ugly with parking structures like say…Santa Barbara which has 13 such structures that allow thousands of people to shop and spend money in an otherwise very condensed downtown. Get on board with economic realities and build em already…
Erik, I think you're a little off base. Your parents in their 70's should be using handicapped parking, which I think most people would agree is in too short supply in downtown Paso. That said, you're twisting Matt's argument… Most of us are able-bodied and a couple of blocks is no big deal. Matt uses examples like SF because they are walking cities, but you know what? So are lots of small towns. You know what aren't walking cities? With lots of big structures, etc, cluttering up the area …? Fresno. Bakersfield. Those are *car* towns where people have to drive everywhere and there are giant parking lots all over the place. Can you imagine a worse fate for Paso than that?
Paso has had a parking problem for a long time!
Wow, your parking options are COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS! You suggest to park a block or two or three away and walk?? Even at 3 blocks in any direction there is NO PARKING!!! I think most would agree, (locals and tourists) we need a parking structure!! It cant look any worse than the super large street corners and that spiffy new bathroom for our wine park…Im just saying not building a needed parking garage is not going to control growth, it just simply will make lives a little easier for us locals that would like to enjoy OUR town also. Plus, the money generated fron parking could be used toward fixing all our cobble stone streets….just a thought!
The council allowed the proposed Pine Street Promenade project to present a project application that includes use of some city property (bus parking area) at the Train Station. The project is located at the old Hayward Lumber property downtown. It includes a 100+-room full service destination hotel, market, spa, conference facility, restaurant and parking. It is also proposed to include a performing arts facility, approximately 500-seats – similar to the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande. In conjunction with the performing arts center, a 240-space parking structure is proposed – it is the parking structure that may use the city property and provide public parking in addition to arts center parking
As a mobile service technician, parking downtown when I need to work and service customers is a hassle. Shops don't open til 9 or 10. Parking spaces are already full! I shouldn't have to walk 3 blocks to service a customer that will only take 10 minutes, tops. When Hayward closed I stated that should be made into a paid parking structure or atleast a paid parking lot…. revenue!
Lindsay ML Thanks for your comment. Yes, that is why I brought up SF. They have a parking issue but it has turned into a walking city. Paso is the same in that respect. I think we live in a beautiful town and if we have to walk 1 to 3 blocks I don't see that as a big deal. I've lived in many different cities, small and large, and in every one I have had to park away from where I wanted to go at some point. It's just normal. 🙂
Sadly, it's unlikely that we will ever see a parking structure or performing arts center. This is part of Phase Two of the development, and I'll bet that Phase Two was added to get the project approved. Since neither (parking structure or arts center) is a money maker, they will be dropped after the hotel, etc. is built or the project is sold to another developer.
Remember, the present developers have never built anything in their lives– a clue to the probability that they will sell the whole project once they get final approval.
It's all part of a bait and switch strategy that the City Planning Commission either accepts or has not caught onto yet. Remember the Golden Hill RV park sold to the public as an elite RV park, then sold to an out of town developer and approved by the Planners as an ordinary RV facility?
Erik I think your comment is perfect 🙂 We need to stop catering to the tourist and more to the locals. And I am glad Matt can walk a few but older people can't 🙁
I work in Paso (in a rural area). Sadly, going downtown after work is not an option. Having lived in SF and NYC, I can say that I love walking, taking public transportation and "appreciating the walk." Two weeks ago I tried doing this on a Thursday evening to no avail (I went as deep as 20th street and still no luck). There is absolutely no where to park. Unlike big cities, Paso has zero infrastructure to support this dreamy notion of parking and walking. The amount of money the city could make from a structure on Riverside or down Park St. would be a great opportunity to help fix roads, beef up transportation and allow downtown to be accessible for both tourists and locals alike.
Jessica Lederer Without tourists where would Paso be? No wine industry means no restaurants, no revenue, etc. We have what we have downtown due to tourism. Aside from that it's too late, we can't get rid of it so we have to deal with what is here and come up with other solutions. As for walking…I agree, folks that struggle with walking should be helped and there are ways of doing that. I'm not opposed to more parking but I've never lived anywhere that did not have some parking issues. It's natural. So we can complain about it or do something about it.
Wow! Look at the responses — so much for suggesting that people shouldn't complain!
Have the downtown employees park in a designated area. I think the employees are taking up the a lot of the parking spaces.
I am feeling lazy and entitled today and still not worrying about the parking downtown, go figure!
Great article Matt that if nothing else, has people talking. The reality is, we really do need a large parking structure. It doesn't have to be right there in Downtown and in fact, could be a few blocks away or more, so as not to take away from Paso's charm. I don't like parking meters but comments about putting them in are worth considering because I've noticed often that most cars are parked in Downtown all day.
Jessica Lederer Personally I don't think it's about the tourists … I think catering to the tourists would be having a trolley or something silly like that. Since when is walking a tourist thing? I am multi-generational local, I do not care about tourists who walk vs don't walk. What I don't want is a bunch of lazy people convincing the city to become even more "car friendly." What we need are bike lines, wide sidewalks, and trees… not parking lots.
To be honest I live in Paso and have never really had that much trouble with parking downtown. Save fair time, I've always been able to find a spot reasonably close (within two blocks) and fairly quickly (within ten minutes). I feel for people who are apparently cursed with never finding parking, but it's hard to be sympathetic when I have seen multiple spots around 14th pretty much every time I've gone downtown. And Paso has small blocks!
Lindsay ML , what on God's green earth makes you think my parents need handicap placards?? They walk and move perfectly fine, play golf, work etc…!!! Those should be issued ONLY for people who need them! They just like me may not want to walk a mile or even three blocks to eat, shop, go to the park or anything else! And because we may not want to do that doesn't make us lazy or entitled!!
Nope, it doesn't make you lazy or entitled. In my article I was talking abut the people that are lazy and entitled. Those are the people I have dealt with in my experience.
Erik M McCornack again perfectly said 🙂
Erik M McCornack I think if someone can't walk a couple blocks because of physical reasons, they should talk to their doctor and have their needs met (via a disability placard or otherwise). And honestly, a mile? The blocks in Paso Robles are so very, very small. Not to mention I'd bet money I could go to Amsterdam downtown right now and park almost directly in front of it, no problem. When people say, "There's no parking!" they mean "There's no parking directly around the park!" Unless we decide we want to pave the park over for parking spots, there can't be more spaces there. I don't know why people think a garage will save them from walking — it won't. It will *still* be not directly in the middle of downtown.
Also! Since we're all screaming about parking, we should be screaming about all the wild cats that have been running around the downtown park, ah pissin' and a washin' their cat pee all over the park. My daughter was attacked by 3-4 of these mangy felines when she was only 5 feet ahead of me. WE MUST TAKE OUR TOWN BACK FROM THE FELINES!
I had to park at Wal Mart, JUST so I could go to the Red Scooter and get my Mean Leany Fettuccine sandwich. Turns out all the parking was took fer the Adam Sandler movie. Anyway, when I made it to the Red Scooter, she was closed!
At this point, it was clear that today was not the day for a Mean Leany Fettuccine so I headed back to my car (parked at Wal Mart, mind you) when, to my surprise, I was attacked by those MANGY FELINES NEAR THE PARK!!
I agree with you Mark. I'll bet a huge percentage of the cars in the AM are employee's. Why can't the City pave a large vacant lot and shuttle employees back and forth as needed. It works in LA. I know the City would prefer the revenue of selling or leasing the lot, but if they want the stores downtown to survive, they better do something…and fast!!
Oh I didn't mention a few commercial zones would be nice
Love the idea of walking! Have you ever tried to cross the street on 13th? So, what to do? Slow traffic, "Pedestrianize Downtown", plant shade trees, provide benches. Let's get this right and let's get it right now before we lose the chance to hold on to our lovely small town atmosphere. Make it safe for walking, make it pleasant, make it inviting to shop and they will come.
Erik, you missed the boat. I wish you knew how poor the city's choices have been in the past. I am glad your folks are able to walk past all the employees parked in the prime spots downtown. I have private parking because the city was not interested in making it public.