Tow Trucks Downtown

[Zacha341]

The lack of parking near the river walk and Hart Plaza is nuts. Not people accessible at all and sometimes that open lot behind the Ren Cen is closed etc.

We're planning a boat ride on the Detroit Princess boat and trying to car pool it to cut down on the parking drama. We want to do the 'midnight' cruise but the idea of walking for blocks at 2:00 am to get the where cars are parked is not a cheering thought. So we may take the earlier boat...

I can't remember the street where we parked downtown near the riverwalk, but there was no sign. However, we learned later, that it was part of an enforcement zone where they actively towed, A sign would have been nice as we just would have parked elsewhere- there were a couple of other cars on the same street as well. Instead they went for a money grab with storage and towing fees and lost patrons to the Riverwalk. Why go through the hassle when there are parks and other family activities elsewhere?

[milesdriven]

Back in '08, when we were still living on the east side, I had gotten a parking ticket while in my car! We were headed down to Eastern Market, and my daughter was teething and screaming bloody murder. We stopped at the little store at Gratiot and Chene so my fiancee could run in and get a popsicle for her. I had intended to park in the lot, but the bus was blocking the entrance so I dropped my fiancee off and had her run inside while I waited for the bus to depart. As soon as the bus pulled off, I saw her leaving the store, so I pulled up to the curb so she didn't have to deal with the crackhead panhandlers on the side of the store. She quickly puts her seatbelt on, and as I'm getting ready to let the clutch out I hear "It's too late, you can't pull off now!" from behind me. I was livid, and eventually fought the ticket and won, but the whole ordeal left a sour taste in my mouth. This was at Gratiot and Chene! I understand that the city needs to increase revenue, but they also need to be more hospitable to those who come visit who are already risking their lives and property by doing so.

[East Detroit]

Can't we be more like Chicago and New York where there is ample free street parking like there is in Sterling Heights?

[preserve]

Most of the Tow Zone signs are posted by the towing companies and do not always have the authorization to do so.

[Detroitej72]

The same lots that charge $5 one day & $25 for "special" days??? Highway robbery!!!

Hey, that's called supply and demand. Isn't capitalism wonderful!!!

[fryar]

Carl, you get a complete pass from me on my usual downtown is for walking theme. I can well imagine that parking issues were not good for your business. I don't know precisely what you do or did, but if it was things like computer repair, well, people sometimes don't love to shlep their computers about the street for blocks at a time. I hope your business is doing well, wherever it is now located.

The lack of parking near the river walk and Hart Plaza is nuts. Not people accessible at all and sometimes that open lot behind the Ren Cen is closed etc.

I get that paying for parking is a nuisance expense, but they surely have parking at the RenCen and some such.

We're planning a boat ride on the Detroit Princess boat and trying to car pool it to cut down on the parking drama. We want to do the 'midnight' cruise but the idea of walking for blocks at 2:00 am to get the where cars are parked is not a cheering thought. So we may take the earlier boat...

I would not hesitate to park at Greektown Casino, if it were me - it's a casino, not a friggin' Boys Club [[i.e. ethical qualms addressed). It is a couple of blocks' walk, it is true, but you can stop by to validate and get an ice cream at Cold Stone, which is pleasant enough. That's less so me being cheeky than an actual suggestion.

[carlscomputers]

Thanks Fryar! I would usually have people call me when they got out front & I would bring or pick up repairs to/from them out front when they couldn't find anywhere to park.
Business still in limbo right now, looking for a new location now. I plan on buying my own bldg, so next time I'll have control over when I have to close!

[Zacha341]

Yeah, I've used the Ren Cen parking structure sometimes, but it is really high. That outside lot is cheaper when it is open. And yes the casino lots is ok if you can take that 'vertigo' inducing winding accession up into it [[smile). But that's a heck of a walk... all in all you have to work at it if you want to do downtown. Catching the people mover to the Ren Cen/ GM building is cool. Too bad that location of the people mover station within the RC/GM building is not more clearly marked. I've got it figured out now, but it was a trip initially....

Carl, you get a complete pass from me on my usual downtown is for walking theme. I can well imagine that parking issues were not good for your business. I don't know precisely what you do or did, but if it was things like computer repair, well, people sometimes don't love to shlep their computers about the street for blocks at a time. I hope your business is doing well, wherever it is now located.



I get that paying for parking is a nuisance expense, but they surely have parking at the RenCen and some such.


I would not hesitate to park at Greektown Casino, if it were me - it's a casino, not a friggin' Boys Club [[i.e. ethical qualms addressed). It is a couple of blocks' walk, it is true, but you can stop by to validate and get an ice cream at Cold Stone, which is pleasant enough. That's less so me being cheeky than an actual suggestion.