I read your article on parking in SoHo and wanted to make a few comments. I have lived in South Tampa for 20 years and remember when Howard was mostly industrial, so it's nice to see it as it is today.
I'm not sure if there really is a problem with parking at night. There actually are plenty of parking spaces on Howard. The problem is with some of the business owners that line Howard, Swann, Azeele and Platt (but mostly Howard).
Many businesses that are only open during the day don't allow nighttime parking and will tow anyone in their lot.
You would think they would want to be good neighbors to those businesses depending on nighttime business and let their patrons park in their lots. There are a few businesses that are closed at night that do allow parking, but not nearly enough.
And don't talk to me about liability because before Howard became this popular, we could park in any lot without the fear of a $150 towing bill. But could it be a great way for these businesses and towing companies to make an easy buck? Or should I say thousands of bucks!
I know people who refuse to frequent the businesses on Howard during the day because they get treated so poorly regarding parking at night. These businesses want our business during the day, yet tow our cars at night. I just don't get it.
The city is in for a huge lawsuit if there is ever an emergency on streets like Westland Avenue. I can barely get my car down that street so I know a firetruck or ambulance can't make it.
I'm sure they will implement a no parking policy on one side of the street, but hopefully someone won't have to die waiting for an ambulance for that to happen.
The solution isn't simple, but here are a few suggestions.
Have all the SoHo businesses meet, if they haven't already, to discuss solutions such as asking the daytime businesses to simply be good neighbors and allow the nighttime patrons to use their parking spaces.
Some even have parking in back of their businesses off the alley that would help. Other than that, maybe the city could build a parking garage between CVS and Evos or in the Kash n' Karry lot. There really are enough spaces - we're just not allowed to use them.
-- Jeff Alpert, Palma Ceia
[Last modified November 17, 2005, 08:15:09]
