parking idea/ space saver

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Infamy said:
If a parking lot is asphalt, it needs to be repaved every year or every other year. The lines need to be repainted.

If it's concrete, there will be cracking that needs to be repaired.

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What if it's grass/dirt?

Haha. You have to mow it!

That's probably more expensive than repaving.

Perhaps dirt is the way to go...

;)

I think another problem with the garages is that most parks only have a few days a year with their maximum number of parked cars. Seasonal parks have more closed days than open, and of the open days only a relatively small number of those days have max parking. So the size needed for the garage will require spots that will not be paid back fast at all. It seems that the parks that do have these garages are year round parks in vacation destinations where weekdays can be busier and you don't have dead months. I guess my point is the more often your lot is close to full the better you can afford the parking garage.

Not that this will be a make it or break it point, but nobody has discussed the tram service. If there was only one stop, closer to the park, there could be savings there.

1) Not as much gas would be used by the trams

2) With the trams not having near as far to go, not only will it be less gas, but you might not need as many trams, also saving labor and maintence.

Just a thought

Yes it will take a few years to pay off building a parking deck.But any park exec knows you start paying interest when you borrow the money.It will take a year to build so that makes it 3 years.Maintinence and interest will take another year So you have 4 years of parking revenue that will be gone from your parks yearly revenue.Will a park general manager tell the stockholders we are going to loose money for 4 years for something that will not attract more guests (and may turn some away if closest parking spots are under construction) A big signature ride will attract 40,000 more guests each year spending $100 (average) for a boost of 4 million a year.So what would you choose as a park manager 4 million more next year or 4 years of losses. *** Edited 5/26/2007 4:33:42 PM UTC by kevin38***

Kevin- it's no different with coasters.

You have to consider the long term effects, not only short term (and 4 years is, I believe, short term).

Will this solve problems in the long-term? Will this clear up enough space to work on increasing customer satisfaction (e.g. park expansion)? Will this address customer concerns? Could this relieve, or will it add to, the burden on staff?

I think the thing to remember is, excepting a few parks, there really isn't a need for parking structures in general, as parking structures are very expensive and can only benefit a few locations. Possible locations that a structure could be of an advantage:
1. Cedar Point
2. Kennywood
3. Great America (CA), though I've never been there to know for certain.

Beyond that, most parks already have adequate parking nearby that is already not being used for parking.

Plus, the other thing to consider. The parks that do have parking sturctures are those which operate year round and can amortize the investment versus year round income. For most parks, that just isn't possible.

Parking garages in general only make sense when 1. land is expensive and 2. automotive traffic is constant year round. Thus, cities tend to have parking garages while suburbs tend to have sprawling parking lots.

^ Then Cedar Point will be known for having the world's largest sinking parking garage. :)

Some seasonal parks allow other nearby venues to use their parking lot during the winter months. This is one way to account for the cost. I am not sure what the deal is with Hersey though having never been there. Elitch Gardens uses their lot for the Pepsi Center all winter though. Obviously though, with the costs of these things, even this may not be enough. Like anything though, its an investment towards the future.

As for the traffic nightmares, when a garage is done right, it can work just as well as a regular parking lot when trying to move mass amounts of vehicles in and out. The only problem is, if a problem arises after the garage is built that no one thought of, it is kind of a permanent problem...