Sarasota Livin'

Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream on parking page 162 footnote...

Actually, there is indeed a point at which a city can satisfy its parking needs. This situation can be found in may small, older American cities and is almost always the result of the same history: at mid-century, with automobile ownership on the rise, a charming old downtown with a wonderful pedestrian realm finds itself in need of more parking spaces. It tears down a few historic buildings and replaces them with surface parking lots, making the downtown both easier to park in and less pleasant to walk through.

As more people drive, it tears down a few more buildings, with the same result. Eventually, what remains of the old downtown becomes unpleasant enough to undermine the desire to visit, and the demand for parking is easily satisfied by the supply. This phenomenon could be called the Pensacola Parking Syndrome, in honor of one of the victims.

Sarasota isn't Pensacola so we don't have to worry... or do we? ... plain parking garages are no better than surface parking.... believe a walker -- a block long parking garage is not a good walking experience.

Downtown is all about the pedestrian experience. I want a lot to see on every block.