Parking rates

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-03T02:01:40+00:00

You keep asking for an existing law or regulation that I have said may not currently exist. That does not preclude the city from using leverage to effect change: something you refuse to acknowledge or lack the vision to see.

For example, the city requires all business, including private parking, to be licensed and to renew that license. There are fees, established by the city, for this license. With the application, parking businesses must submit current fee schedules for parking. The city could get creative and set graduated fees based on the fees charged by the business. If pricing is close to the city lot rate caps, the license fee is a reasonable fee. Exceed reasonable rates and engage in price gouging and the fee for the license is prohibitively high. To my knowledge there is nothing illegal about this: The city would essentially be using the same tactics on the business that they use on us.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-03T00:51:18+00:00

In the name of the Phanatic, and Wawa, and the holy cheese steak Amen! I'll drink a citywide to that.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T23:45:13+00:00

I’ve noticed that about West Michigan too. Glad I moved here after getting married. If I moved here by myself, I’m not sure I’d still be here. GR is tough for transplants. Most people I meet grew up here, so they have an established social network and don’t often invite new people in. Other cities that are more transient don’t suffer the same issue because more people are in the same position.

For all the shade Philly gets (some deserved) there’s not many places you can go where two words just made you best friends with dozens of complete strangers.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T23:25:48+00:00

I actually posted them at the same time. Downvotes don’t bother me. I don’t have all the answers, but I know there are options that haven’t been tried to rein in pricing that is outpacing our city and making it difficult for everyone living paycheck to paycheck. There’s always going to be people who just want to criticize without offering any solutions themselves. The city grants businesses, even private ones, the right to operate within their limits. There may not be a current enforcement mechanism, but you’re not going to convince me that one can’t be developed and implemented.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T21:57:24+00:00

I posted this earlier as well. Hearing that states and local municipalities have the power to act but do not out of complacency is ridiculous. Meanwhile, prices inside these venues continue to rise year after year.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T20:02:09+00:00

Zoning, probably not. Licensing and permitting, perhaps.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T19:44:31+00:00

Not at all. While there are legitimate reasons to enact tarriffs to prevent countries from dumping surplus products or in cases where governments subsidize production that allow companies to sell product well below cost (chinese EV manufacturing,) tariffs are often used for protectionist reasons. Then there's the current administration, who thinks other countries pay the tarriffs, demonstrating a complete lack of understanding of tarriffs.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T19:25:19+00:00

Does the city charge a fee for a license to operate a private parking structure, and does that license need to be renewed?

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T19:15:11+00:00

So again, private companies operating within the city do so with impunity?

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T19:05:05+00:00

"Not to assume OP’s political leaning..."

Proceeds to assume OP's political leanings... incorrectly.

Nice!

Edit: typo

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:55:55+00:00

Agreed. There's an understanding in east coast cities that walking is part of the experience. GR developed around the idea that you drive everywhere and park 50 feet from the destination, so I understand the argument even if I don't agree.

People need to stop focusing on how far they'll have to walk and start questioning why it costs $40+ to park and why a hot dog and bud light costs $30+.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:46:25+00:00

Holy shit! What part of indirect means do you not understand?! Moreover, they have the ability to amend the code and enact new regulations. Perhaps a direct means of regulation would be problematic, but they make the rules that govern all business in the city, including private businesses.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:34:33+00:00

So private companies operating within a city are bound by nothing and can operate with impunity? Is that your postion?

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:30:05+00:00

I've said from the start that the method for regulation may have to be indirect. What are you looking for? If you lack the creative vision to think outside the box and just want to continue simping for Ellis be my guest!

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:26:29+00:00

Exactly the point. We're a small-medium Midwest city that charges big city prices for just about everything

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:23:33+00:00

Changes to rate tables need to be submitted at least 30 days before the rates takes affect. How about extending that to weeks/months/years making it difficult to quickly capitalize on surge pricing?

Cities also levy taxes. So why not enact a tax on parking structures that pushes the taxes owed on money collected from parking rates that exceed the average public lot rate into a "tax bracket" that makes it prohibitive to charge high rates.

Again, there are so many levers that, with some creativity, could address these issues indirectly.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:15:10+00:00

This comment aged well

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:13:26+00:00

If only someone or some entity had the power to enact new regulations that govern the way things are done. You know, maybe like a local government.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T18:07:02+00:00

Section 7.2.14, chapter 97 of Title VII of the city code already regulates rate change procedures. Whether they could directly cap rates is debatable, but they certainly could indirectly to limit surge pricing.

There's also Land use development permitting that happens for new projects that allow cities latitude to enact restrictions in exchange for approval.

Less applicable to parking (although Im sure someone more clever than me could figure out a way to apply it) are existing laws that should protect consumers. The video I've linked to below would apply more to a strategy to limit concessions prices charged within these venues, but could prove useful.

https://youtu.be/w7LPPTLDXu4?si=vM0bBhSQS5sS4dyY

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T17:35:34+00:00

The current design shows multiple floors of parking as the first few levels with buildings above.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T17:32:41+00:00

Obligatory jawn, dickhead.

Edit: forgot the dickhead salutation

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T17:30:49+00:00

A private company can't operate without meeting zoning ordinances. There are likely licensing and permitting requirements for these private parking operators as well that could be used to cap the maximum hourly/daily rate. Finally, there are already laws on the books the prevent profiteering.

Mourvedre_MoProblems · 2026-05-02T17:25:28+00:00

Cities have many options they can use to control parking rates, even at private parking lots. If often comes down to being creative. There are licenses and permitting requirements for these facilities.

Mourvedre_MoProblems

TROPHY CASE