3rd South Parking

A downtown parking experiment is just now starting to catch on---with both good and bad results.

Salt Lake City's mayor is trying to increase foot traffic downtown by turning 300 South into a parking lot.

Links Salt Lake City 3rd South Project (SLCgov.com)

Someone likes this little experiment--most spots filled up as soon as the stripes were painted on.

But there are still some serious questions about whether this is a good idea--and whether it'll really breathe life into downtown businesses.

Bruce Northcott/Downtown Shopper: MY FIRST QUESTION IS: WHERE DO I PAY? --TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? --TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!

There are a lot of people who can't believe their eyes. After years of complaining about downtown parking: there's actually some spots freed up!

The mayor has turned 300 South into a cross between city street and parking lot. And businesses are welcoming the change.

Chad Larsen/Globe Cafe: THE EXCUSE OF NOT HAVING A PLACE TO PARK IS NOT SO MUCH A VALID ONE ANY MORE.

James Huffty/Manager, New York Burrito: THERE REALLY WASN'T ANY PARKING DOWN HERE BEFORE. YOU KNOW, THERE WAS JUST THE METERS. AND THEY WERE USUALLY TAKEN UP BY THE PEOPLE IN THE OFFICES.

From 400 West to 200 East, traffic will be one lane in each direction to accomodate the about 150 new parking spaces.

Crews are still re-painting the pavement for the change--inlcuding additional pedestrian walkways.

But, the street can be a tad chaotic at times.

There are lots of people crossing from their cars to the sidewalks in the middle o the block--legally, a no-no.

People backing out of the new spaces cause minor congestion at times.

And the single lane of traffic is--well--constricting.

Brian Brimhall/Downtown Shopper: IT'S DEBATABLE WHETHER IT WILL HELP THE TRAFFIC FLOW. BUT I THINK IT WILL HELP. YOU KNOW , IT'S JUST A PROBLEM WHEN YOU CAN'T FIND A PLACE TO PARK.

The goal is to increase foot traffic downtown, by first increasing auto traffic downtown. Hardly Mayor Anderson's ideal solution--but a step taken for the sake of Main Street.

Darin Bell/Works Downtown: IT'S NICE HAVING A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN PARK, GO IN, TAKE CARE OF THINGS, COME OUT.

It's going to take a little time to figure out whether this experiement will become permanent. And you're input could help. There's a link to information on the 3rd South project on the city's web page.

May 24, 2002