Free Parking - Hardly
I got downtown a touch after 5 and decided to give street parking a shot, so coming off I280 at 6th street, I hung a ralph on Brannan looking for a space between 5th and 4th.
Low and behold, the entire block was empty. Huh?
Yes, I was early, but I wasn't that early for the game. Generally by an hour before the game every spot on the street is taken as people empty their pockets of change to cover themselves until 6PM. Virtually every spot was available, so I pulled up near the Bank (my usual pay lot at $30) and reached into my console for some quarters.
Hopping out, I checked the meter. These are those fancy new meters, and the costs and times rotate in the little window. $7 an hour until 10PM.
WHAAAAA?
I looked at another meter, and sure enough, that was the rate. Then I spotted the Special Event Parking sign. Sorry, I didn't think to shoot a picture of one, but they have now zoned the area all around the ballpark to gouge patrons on parking fees. And you know they don't want the $7/hour. They want to collect on tickets. That's where the money is.
FOR SHAME!
I hopped back in my car, and figured I'll take a little ride around to check it out. It was all over. Finally I went back to my old fave, Bluxome alley on the other side of 5th street. This used to be completely free parking. Now they have meters (those multi-spot meters). The good news is, they are regular price, which means $1.50/hour only until 6. There were plenty of spots there too (not sure why, but I'm going to try that tonight), so for 12 bits I was parked, having to walk an extra block for the savings.
I'm usually pretty careful on this blog not to say anything that might get me in trouble, but I'm gonna do it right now anyway. Mayor Ed Lee, the "I'm not gonna run if you make me mayor, Ed Lee" can kiss my ass. Ed, that ain't gonna balance the budget.
posted by PEFACommish at 4:23 PM
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