One of the main complaints about the Central Corridor light rail project comes from businesses along University Avenue that fear it will disrupt parking — and therefore harm their businesses.
I have huge sympathy for struggling small businesses. Much less for Americans who can't get their butts out of a car and walk half a block to patronize a local business.
Are fears overblown or are American consumers totally pathetic?
Here's a typical quote from a business owner:
"I know it will be a good thing," Mary Milton told KARE Thursday as she pondered the train that will pass right past her Transformation Hair salon on University Avenue. But she concedes she's worried about the loss of on-street parking to make room for the new line.
"We need our customers," Milton remarked, "It will be hard. We don't have a lot of parking now, and if the[y] take what we've got it's going to really have the business down a lot."
I don't know what day of the week or time of day Google Street View took this shot of the block where the hair salon does business, but from the shadows, it's in the afternoon. You can run up and down the street and see cross streets, where there's abundant parking.
Now ask yourself: how many customers does the business handle at one time? And how many people change their hair stylist because they can't park right in front of the door?
Maybe customers who drive will have a hard time reaching this business for their hair styling during construction and after the train is running. But I'm not seeing the problem.
[Disclosure: I have done some consulting with the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative.]
