Four More Street Parking Spaces Soon To Dissapear From Gallery Place/Penn Quarter

while i don’t begrudge the firefighters from gaining more parking, don’t forget in your description of the neighborhood parking situation that those of us with underground parking garages do have friends and relatives who visit. Between the high priced “guest” parking in the garages, and the lack of street parking due to MCI events, it is a nightmare having anyone visit who doesn’t have access to metro or public transportation.

“Can’t say that we’ll miss the spaces.”

I sure can. I heartily agree with the above comment–not all of us who live in the area can afford $200+ a month for garage parking, nor do our guests enjoy forking over tons of cash just to have a place to put their car for a few hours or a weekend. Okay, so the loss of three or four spaces probably won’t make much difference overall, and if the fire department really needs them I suppose they should have them, but I don’t really understand your indifference to losing some of our already incredibly limited street parking.

What a great topic…parking. I think we ought to let the firefighters have those four spots. They probably need more but giving them some measure of control over their parking is a worthy cause.

james: good point. I guess I’ve already given up on street parking as a viable option for residents or guests in our neighborhood.

Not only are the few spaces in very high demand, but the time restrictions on many of our Downtown streets prevent anyone from parking for 24 continuous hours.

I think it’s great that the spaces are going to firefighters. Unless we plan on increasing firefighter’s wages so they can live close-in and metro to work, it’s the least we can do.

I moved to the neighborhood because I didn’t want the hassel of owning a car. I love my zipcar and it’s dedicated parking space. I realize not everyone can be car-free, but I also don’t think the DC government should go out of their way to encourage driving and parking downtown, especially when every metro line and countless buses stop in our neighborhood.

I heard that the Brutalistic architectural style of this firehouse was suppose to have a marble veneer finish but they ran out of funds.

Sure it would be nice for the firefighters, but this is strictly a political move. Why should firefighters be given special treatment? Should we reserve spots next to police stations, city office buildings, and even public schools? Firefighters can rely on public transportation, carpools, etc., just as much as everyone else in this city is expected to. Out of curiousity–do firefighters in DC have extended shifts? I know in many cities firefighters can spend 24 or even 48 hours on duty in one stretch. Parking a car on the street for long stretches helps one person but potentially hurts hundreds of people in commercial areas where the spots are needed for businesses.

Yeah 11:17 How dare they!

Downtown does not have a parking problem. Parking may be expensive, but it isn’t lacking. There are countless garages. Almost every new building has one. There is an enormous lot where the old convention center used to be that is seldom full. I seriously doubt any downtown businesses will be hurt by having a few cars parked out front (not that there are lots of businesses near our firehouse).

I was just pointing out that this is a political move that doesn’t make a lot of sense as policy. There’s no reason to single out firefighters for special treatment. When I commented that businesses would be hurt, I was thinking more of my old neighborhood in upper Northwest, where the firehouses tend to be located in commercial strips with very limited parking–I used to circle the block endlessly trying to find parking. I’m not sure the policy would effect Penn Quarter at all–doesn’t the firehouse have a decent sized parking lot already?

Either the firemen and policemen can have our tax dollars pay for their parking spaces in the private lots costing at least $200 a month or they can have parking spaces in front of the building. Call it political, but this is just plain practical. Firemen don’t make much to begin with, and to burden them with parking fees while they are doing us a service is ridiculous.

Could someone please look up what firemen earn, as well as what benefits they receive (including pension)? Seems to me it is probably a decent career option.

Why is the assumption we’d be paying for their parking? Why can’t they take a train or bus, or carpool, or have a family member drop them off? Everyone has to deal with these issues, not just firefighters.

Everyone coming to work in the city should be encouraged to use public transportation.

This should apply especially to anyone working for the government, therefore setting an example to practicicing conservation.

How much is the bus to Waldorf?

With the amount of car theft in our neighborhood, it’s crazy to park on the street anyway. 2 of my friends who have come to visit in the last 3 months and parked on the street had their cars broken into over the weekend.

From the article that apparently few people here read:

Amy McVey, an advisory neighborhood commissioner in upper Northwest, led the charge to designate the block of Warren Street Northwest that is adjacent to Engine 20 as parking for emergency personnel. She said public transportation isn’t an option for firefighters.
“What people don’t understand is firemen have to carry around two sets of gear,” including hazardous material equipment, tools and heavy fire suits, she said.

And they, um, save your life. So maybe they deserve some sort of special treatment?

anon: very true – theft from auto is the #1 crime in the neighborhood. Mostly visitors attending Verizon center events leave stuff in the car thinking it’s safer in the car than on their person. You basically can’t leave anything in the car that is in clear view. The MPD also advises that no one park their car and proceed to put things in the trunk because the thieves are usually watching.

Last Spring, I found someone’s wallet in a free newspaper box outside of the Starbucks at 7th and H. She had tons of stuff in it, including her drivers license and ss# card, and several business cards for a hair dresser who was her cousin. I was able to track her down through that phone number. I eventually met her mother at the Metro to return the wallet. Her mother said that she had placed her purse in the trunk of her car before an event at Platinum. The theives broke into her trunk, which was in a garage. From that experience, I learned not to carry any extra stuff in my wallet.

I have learned to keep my car pretty neat. I have received two separate notices from the MPD warning me to keep items out of sight to deter break-ins. They are on a half sheet of bright orangy-red paper. At least the MPD are being somewhat proactive in warning the drivers of parked cars in the neighborhood. Although, I doubt the MPD are taking the time to do this during events at the Verizon Center, which seems to attract a lot of crime.

I also think that you are more suspectible to break-ins if you have tinted windows. A friend said that they took $.87 from a guest’s car after breaking his tinted window out. Something to consider if you are in the car market.

No kidding about the increase in theft and crime in general. Our neighborhood is conveniently situated on the “Crime Express” (a.k.a. Green Line).

anon: we can’t say that crime has increased or decreased this year over last. MPD hasn’t released any preliminary crime data for January except for homicide (which is 1 more than last year YTD and firearm recoveries).

But our feeling is that the crime rate is about the same as it has been for the last several months.

anon: 1/19/2007 02:51:00 PM

I think your “Crime Express” theory is based on some sad stereotypes. Adams Morgan, Georgetown and Logan Circle have lots of crime and they don’t even have metro stops.

Not sure what the crime express comment is about. I’ve been guilty of calling the green line the ghetto line because both terminals are in PG county, but I doubt many criminals are using metro as their transportation to or from a crime.

As a longtime regular visitor to gallery place, i feel that street parking hasn’t been easy for quite a few years.

There seem to be plenty of parking garage and lot spaces though. i don’t recall ever seeing the old convention center lot full. there have been plenty of spots in the gallery place garage the few times i’ve done that.

still. i generally take the bus or train, i feel that residents should encourage their guests to do the same. At night, one could easily find parking near the mall, if need be, and take a bus up 7th.

Also, its pretty easy to catch a cab along h or 7th.

4 spots isn’t gonna change that much.