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The re-development of Downtown Long Beach and the multitude of new high rise buildings are certain to complicate an already difficult parking shortage. Many of the historic condos in Downtown do not have any parking available at all. Residents rent monthly spots in available asphalt lots at fairly reasonable monthly rates, but with land at a premium how long will these lots remain available? Where will the owners of these condos, local business owners, guests and customers park?
Recently a friend and I were discussing the parking problems in Downtown Long Beach now and projecting into the future. As we discussed potential solutions it occurred to me that the solutions themselves were very problematic.
Vertical Parking and other parking solutions involve a lot of equipment. Equipment is expensive to both purchase and run, breaks down, requires parts that are not always immediately available and requires trained engineers and mechanics. What happens when your car is parked on level 5 and the equipment breaks down? What if the part is not immediately available and needs to be imported from Japan? Would there be a manual over-ride system to bring your car down to ground level? How could all of this be kept affordable?
Many of the systems exhibited in these videos showed fully automated parking structures. Who do you call when the systems fail? What happens if it is very late at night? There I go assuming the lots would be open 24 hours, I am still such a New Yorker sometimes! But seriously, how could they not be open 7 and 24?
Tonight I watched many videos from around the world displaying parking systems for both small and large spaces. While watching I realized that every one of them showed 1 car being easily and quickly parked or retrieved. It was so simplistic it made me laugh. I remember an evening in Manhattan when a group of us went to see a show. The last parking lot with any space available was in a very thin and very tall building with an elevated vertical parking system. They charged a whopping $60 to park the car and that was 8 or 9 years ago. We waited well over an hour to retrieve the car. All of the shows let out at about the same time and the lots were inundated.
The other thing that really struck me while I was watching these videos was the desolation of the parking lots. I couldn't imagine retrieving my car at 3:00 AM without experiencing a great deal of fear.
I can only imagine the stress levels of people waiting for their cars to be delivered to them when they are late for an appointment. Imagine having to wait for 10 or 15 cars before yours is delivered! Downtown has a large workforce most of which finish their work day between 5 and 6 PM. How long would it take for them to get their cars out of these lots?
We didn't come up with any solutions, but it was an interesting conversation and has my wheels turning (pun intended).
What do you think?
Update 9/3/08
The owner of Apex Skypark in Anaheim contacted me about the concerns expressed in this post. As a manufacturer of Robotic Parking Solutions and a company currently involved with the City of Long Beach in an effort to bring these solutions to us, I offered them space on this site to respond.
I recently viewed this beautiful Victorian Style Alamitos Beach Home and was impressed by the ambiance of the home and by the gleaming wood floors throughout. This home is walking distance to the beach and local shops, is warm and inviting, and has a nice floorplan. The outdoor areas are quite private and are conducive to entertaining.
It was the Master Bedroom Suite that was the hook in this lovely home; soaring ceilings and a sizable private sitting room, which could double nicely as a nursery, and master bath, that just stole the show.
Maybe it was the romantic arbors or the brick walkways in the large rear patio area, or perhaps it was the spa and gazebo or the BBQ, but I could see the future owner of this home wanting to spend a lot of time outdoors at this home.
If you are shopping for a spacious home near the beach this home is a must see.
4 bedrooms (3 upstairs, 1 downstairs)
3 full baths
Wood flooring throughout
Fireplace
Cathedral ceilings
Ocean breezes
Walk to the ocean
Bay Windows
Formal Dining Room
Breakfast Nook
2 pantries
Laundry with washer/dryer - in house
Lighted attic
Automatic gates
2 car oversized garage and additional gated parking.
Cable and Satellite ready
Security system
Water Softener
Forced air heat
A/C ready
Offered at: $675,000
If you would like an appointment to view this home, call Laurie at (562) 212-5420.
Laurie MannyLong Beach Realtor (562) 212-5420
Main Street Realtors Belmont Heights 244 Redondo Avenue Long Beach California 90803
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
One of the most appealing draws to living in Long Beach California
is the walkability of many of our local neighborhoods. Well, somebody
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country. Walk Score has ranked 2,508 neighborhoods in 40 of the largest US cities to help buyers find walkable communities to live in.
Long Beach California has been ranked as the 8th Most Walkable Neighborhood!
If you are relocating to Long Beach California you will need lots of information. You will be curious to know about Long Beach communities, neighborhoods and resources. We have tried to include as many area resources as possible here to make your transition a smooth one.
Long Beach California has become a destination resort area. This sleepy seaside city, known as Iowa by the sea, has blossomed into a fabulous beach resort area. Luxury high rise condos are sprouting all along the coastline, in Downtown Long Beach and Alamitos Beach.
These elegant and prestigious coastal properties provide sweeping ocean
views down the beautiful California coastline, views of Catalina Island
- 25 miles off of our coastline and delicious, clean ocean breezes
wafting in daily. The sound of gently lapping waves can be heard from
your 17th floor Hi Rise condo on the sand. Read More>>>>
Need A Bigger Home?
Prices are at their lowest in many years.
It's a good time to buy YOUR next home!
Call Laurie today to begin your search (562) 212-5420
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