Downtown commuters found themselves coping with unanticipated fallout Wednesday from this week’s transit strike.
Faced with a dwindling number of core city parking spaces, fees that jumped by as much as $6 a day and increased competition for those scarce, high-priced spots, many complained about searching for as long as an hour for a parking place.
Adding to that pressure was the annual street-sweeping program that claimed parking spaces along many Capitol Hill streets, and at least one tow-truck operator said business had never been better.
“I just think its very unfair that they’re taking advantage of the situation,” said Sandra Musick, who works for Mercy Housing at 1999 Broadway.
Musick said her usual lot at 20th and Welton has been full each day this week, and an alternative lot farther away increased its price from $1.50 to $5 per day.
Price hikes at other lots were higher. An Ampco System Parking Garage on Stout Street near the 16th Street Mall raised its all-day rate to $18, up from a published rate of $12 late last year.
Lot operators offered a variety of reasons for the hikes.
“It’s not because I’m trying to take advantage and make more money,” said Hernan Ruiz, who owns two downtown lots.
He typically relies on high turnover, in-and-out business in his lot at the corner of 16th and Lincoln. A flood of new commuters who stay all day has eliminated that portion of business and forced him to raise his all-day rate from $10 to $12 to make up the difference, he said.
Ruiz said the lot is producing about the same amount of money this week as it was before the strike. He hasn’t raised prices at his other lot at 15th and Champa streets.
John P. Gurbach, an Xcel Energy employee, said the price increases he has seen smack of opportunism. “If you come in at 6 in the morning, they are the same price as normal but by 8 they are back up,” he said.
Lot prices in parts of downtown started rising prior to the strike as construction of new buildings eliminated previously available parking spots.
A recent study conducted by Walker Parking Consultants of Greenwood Village for the Downtown Denver Partnership showed that the number of parking spaces downtown – included surface lots, garages and meters – dropped by more than 4,500 spaces from 2004 to 2006.
The 2006 study showed 45,616 available spaces downtown.
Much of the difference is the result of changes in methodology, including the elimination of 2,000 spaces at Coors Field from the data, said Jeremiah Simpson, a parking consultant with Walker. But development of new buildings on former parking lots is likely responsible for some of the change.
Those willing to walk may find free parking in the Capitol Hill residential area. But even those spaces aren’t without frustration.
On Wednesday, many of the neighborhood’s streets were being swept, so parking was restricted along one side. Regulations went into effect Tuesday, and cars parked on the wrong sides were ticketed.
The regulations are in place during the first week of the month in the neighborhood from April through November.
“We have no plans to remove the restrictions,” said Cole Finegan, Denver city attorney. “If the strike goes on for a period of time, we will obviously revisit all our options.”
At least one towing company said its business has spiked since the strike began.
“These phones are ringing like crazy,” said Joyce Lamorie, a dispatcher with Wyatt’s Automotive Towing, which handles towing at several private lots downtown.
Another Denver towing company said the strike might actually hurt its business. Joe’s Towing & Recovery handles some towing business for RTD.
“It’s not going to be so significant that we’re not going to be able to pay our bills,” said Tony Porath, director of operations for Joe’s. “If it were to go on for quite a while it might make a difference.”
Staff writer Beth Potter contributed to this report.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-820-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
Staff writer Tom McGhee can be reached at 303-820-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com.
