[ardecila]

I was actually at the meeting for 800 W Lake, the developers are indeed talking to valet companies to handle their parking needs. When the cost of parking downtown is set at the true cost, and not a cost arbitrarily subsidized by developers, it’s amazing how many people will find alternative ways to get around.

I agree that Fulton Market probably needs more parking... but I see nothing wrong with letting the free market provide it. That leads to a far more efficient use of limited space.

If Sterling Bay wants to build 6 floors of parking for daytime office tenants, let them... but if 800 W Lake doesn’t want to provide on-site parking, they shouldn’t have to. After all, Sterling Bay just built six floors of parking a block away that are empty on nights and weekends during peak restaurant times!

My bigger concern is the impact on traffic if parking supply continues to increase. The city can’t afford expensive projects to add capacity in West Loop, and should be focusing limited dollars on transit and fixit projects. Even a big program to signalize intersections in the West Loop could run into 9 figures...