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Parking Issues Discussed at 'Take Back the Boulevard' Meeting (PHOTOS)

Thursday’s public meeting tried to gauge the extent of parking problems on Colorado Boulevard, which is in the early stages of being re-engineered to make it more accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists.

A total of 19 people gathered Thursday evening for the fourth public meeting of the Take Back the Boulevard initiative at Eagle Rock City Hall.

Sponsored by the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the meeting was aimed at discussing parking issues along Colorado Boulevard. Attendees included commercial building owners, entrepreneurs, residents and Field Deputy Nate Hayward from the CD 14 office of .

Besides recapping some of the information presented in past TBTB meetings and asking attendees about parking issues important to them, Thursday’s event focused on a key issue, according to Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce Vice-President Allen Yap: “Is parking a problem [on Colorado]—is it a problem at a specific time of the day?”

Yap, who runs ETY Parts, Inc., an automobile spare parts store on Colorado, said he told the meeting that he has “been on the boulevard for the past 20 years” and that from his perspective, the busiest time on the stretch of Colorado near his store is during lunch time.

“People who go to Colorado also worry about the cost of parking and about getting a ticket,” he said.

Photos by Herb West.

nonoise July 28, 2012 at 06:01 pm
City councilmembers do not understand that parking meters keep customers away. So, actually with less tax revenues from businesses they lose money. And, businesses lose money.
It should be a requirement that city councilmembers have to run or own a business in order to qualify to run for city council or any other government office. Stop parking meters. People shop where there are no parking meters. Don't shop in Pasadena or Los Angeles where there are parking meters everywhere. Glendale or Burbank has free parking in their malls.
Ajay Singh (Editor) July 28, 2012 at 06:33 pm
@ nonoise: Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not sure, though, if the comparison with Glendale or Burbank works in the case of Colorado Boulevard businesses. Almost all of them (not counting businesses in Eagle Rock Plaza bordering Glendale) are NOT in malls. So the only way to provide free parking to patrons of regular, roadside businesses would be to build expensive and arguably ugly parking structures along the boulevard. Of course, one alternative is to get rid of parking meters altogether along much if not all of Colorado Boulevard. Not sure if our Council member can finegale that without prompting cries of outrage from other communities (across the entire city) demanding the same treatment.
nonoise July 29, 2012 at 03:13 pm
The answer is to get rid of all meters everywhere. We are losing business and tax revenue when LA residents go to other areas, Glendale and Burbank that provide free parking. The Eagle Rock Mall does have free parking. But that makes it even tougher for small businesses on Colorado to compete with the malls and other nearby cities that have free parking.
Ajay, you can not even park for free when going to visit Councilmember Ed Reyes field office on Broadway. Have you ever been there? Visitors get no free parking. You have to park across the street in a paid lot or on the street with meters. And, that paid lot is right behind Arroyo Medical (not sure if that is the name) that provides free health care to low income people. And, now they have to pay to park too. They told me they asked Councilmember Ed Reyes office to allow their customer to park for free, but they were told NO. WOW! I thought they cared about the poor. This is a very poor area that surrounds his Lincoln Heights office. I guess he and/or his staff have no heart. Parking meters are bad for business and in low income areas. No one from the city has enough sense to do the right thing. They have no clue what it is like to run a business.
nonoise July 29, 2012 at 03:16 pm
Glad Councilmember Ed Reyes is termed out of office. Next year do not vote in a "career politican". And, do not vote based on race or gender. Vote on issues ONLY.
Marcus July 29, 2012 at 03:38 pm
I want to know WHY we have parking meters? I'm guessing it is a way for a city or town to raise revenue? If that is so, how much do they actually raise? Does it make that much difference?
I agree that parking meters deter business, but I'm not sure if it prevents business completely. If we had to pay for parking everywhere i.e off street parking say at Chase bank, or in the Walgreens parking lot - then I could see a major deterence. At the moment it is mixed which is why it doesn't seem a big problem. However, parking meters just send the wrong message to attract business.
Ajay Singh (Editor) July 29, 2012 at 07:37 pm
Thanks for that pertinent point, Severin. It's Donald Shoup, btw (not Doland), one of the nation's foremost experts on public policy issues surrounding parking.
Tim Tritch July 29, 2012 at 08:28 pm
Some businesses in Eagle Rock depend soley on the little available parking right in front of their business. Without the meters you would have employees of nearby businesses taking up those few spaces all day long, and that would deter business. Reataruants depeind on 'turnig over' their tables several times a night. When one party stays for and extended amount of time after they are done with their meal the resaruant looses business. Same thing with the parking, you need to turn over the few spaces in order to let new customers in. In limited parking areas like ER, meters increase business. Anyone who says they dont shop somewhere becasue of the meters probably wouldnt have an available space to parki in if the meter wasnt there. Fortunately Tritch Hardware has its own small lot that holds about a dozen cars. Years ago when the corner next to the hardware store became a mini mall there were times when every single space in our lot was taken by someone who was shopping across the street. Of course when we notified the new neighbors that we would now encourage our customers to park in their lot they all got their panties in a wad, and threatened to have our customers towed. Now we have the dispensary security guard wathing our lot, and we are thankful for that.
Parking has always been a problem in ER, and after all these years of TALKING about it can anyone point to anything that has ever been DONE about it.
Tim Tritch July 29, 2012 at 08:38 pm
People who live in ER have been aware of the parking problems for years. And owners of new businesses knew of the problems when they started their new businesses. Good businesses will always survive. And by good businessed I mean those that respect their patrons, and the communities in which they operate. There is only room for a finite number of places to park along Colorado and ER Bl. Aolot of these problems could be alleviated if people just showed a little more respect for eachother. Ig et my hari cut by Bill Osuna down on ER Bl, just a block or two norht of the Jack in the Sack. The bussinesses there rely on the very limited parking but there are a few employees in a business across the street that park in those unmetered spaces all day long, and that is very detrimental to the other businesses. And of course the owner across the street has a fit everytime a non customer parks in front of his store.
John Goldfarb July 30, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Old Town Pasadena, for all its charm and convenience, would not be as successful as it is without large multistory parking lots in the immediate vicinity, two of which offer 90 minutes of free parking.
Marcus July 30, 2012 at 03:05 pm
The case then for metered parking seems a logical one, if indeed, employees from local businesses use it for long term (whole day) parking. And yes, a successful business most likely will be successful for something other than offering free parking.
Maybe the answer is to encourage free short term parking - i.e 1 hour, and then patrons would have to pay after that? I've seen that in Pasadena in areas away from Old Town. Free on street parking for 1 hour periods at certain times of the day. Maybe metered parking is the answer in the long run. I just think we should consider all options before saying they are beneficial or not.
Savateuse July 30, 2012 at 03:13 pm
Agreed!
Savateuse July 30, 2012 at 03:26 pm
Okay that posted weirdly... I am agreeing with John's comment. Also, to respond to some of the other comments, most of Colorado Blvd. has a limit of 1 or 2 hr parking, whether metered or not. So just because there aren't meters doesn't mean you can leave your car there all day.
John July 30, 2012 at 04:09 pm
Businesses pay on average $100 a month per metered parking space bordering their location, especially if they don't have on-site parking. I think the meter revenue is run like a separate business and of it goes to paying the meter maids. Yes, two hour parking discourages employees from inconveniencing customers, but inadequate parking kills business. Before meters took atm cards, I once got two parking tickets in one day because I didn't have enough coins for an hour. I avoid certain businesses now. Santa Barbra and San Luis Obispo have great walking business districts integrated with low cost parking structures-architecturally and conveniently. Would love to see a parking structure and a busway bike and ped path along Colorado! But I don't want to pay for it!
Jeff July 31, 2012 at 06:22 pm
Added note, revenues fron the meters pay for the aquisition, building and maintenance of parking lots in the zone the meters are in, along with maintenance of the meters.

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marr June 17, 2013 at 01:36 pm
Have seen some posters on telephone poles...looks like they're starting June 30. I think it was alsoRead More in an email from Huizar's office.
Greg June 7, 2013 at 07:12 am
Eagle Rock Patch is probably not where you want to post this. I don't think anybody is interested inRead More seeing more hillside homes.
Hulga June 7, 2013 at 01:11 pm
No one wants more fugly McMansions in beautiful Eagle Rock.
Lydia S.C. June 13, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Appreciate the input, and well received. Thank you.
Ajay Singh (Editor) June 6, 2013 at 12:44 am
Mj: Any witnesses to this incident will probably be key to your attempts to prove your son is notRead More lying. You might want to consider speaking to the parents of the student witnesses to try to ensure that the students will come forward and testify if necessary. If the parents can write—or sign—letters supporting your son's version of events, all the better. Get the letters notarized and send them to the concerned authorities, including at LAUSD and LAPD.
nonoise June 11, 2013 at 07:43 am
Hope you have phone insurance for stolen phones. If not you can file for a claim with LAUSD.
Christina Mc Donald June 16, 2013 at 09:11 am
that is awful when you can't even trust a teacher. I hope somehow she will be held responsible. IRead More feel your frustration. my 7th grade daughter had her i pod stolen off her desk by another student in March, she only had it 2 1/2 months. $300 gone
Elijah H June 3, 2013 at 08:43 pm
Looks as though other Patch editors have removed this from their local Patch listings. Looks like aRead More good precedent to follow:
Elijah H June 3, 2013 at 08:44 pm
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EagleRockMom June 2, 2013 at 07:26 am
I have some questions about this camp: 1. What are the ages kids need to be in order toRead More participate? 2. What are the planned camp themes and activities? 3. How much does this camp cost? 4. Are the camp counsel ours CPR and First Aid certified? 5. Are the camp counselors trained in appropriately managing children? 6. Do the camp counselors have stringent background FBI checks and drug tests?
Scott Martin-Rowe June 4, 2013 at 08:18 pm
Maybe they're moving to the space next door to the Comic Book shop. I'd say that there is a 50/50Read More chance that place becomes a massage parlor. Now that the bike lanes are decided, we need to come together to get these "rub and tug" joints closed.
Scott KS June 7, 2013 at 08:25 am
By the posting I'm assuming that this was known to be a "bad place." I see a lot ofRead More massage "parlors" in the Eagle Rock and Glassell Park area but not a lot of real professional CMT's, which is discouraging since that's my cert and trade.
Elijah H June 7, 2013 at 10:58 am
I'm thinking that this may have something to do with it - from the "Grand Theft Auto"Read More story posted today: "In addition, the vice unit of the LAPD Northeast Community Station arrested four women for alleged prostitution during recent investigations of 10 massage parlors in Eagle Rock, Preciado said. Two others were arrested for running massage parlors without a state massage therapy license, Preciado said, adding that the vice unit has not released the addresses where the 10 massage parlors are located. "
Otto SANTA ANA May 30, 2013 at 10:52 am
We in Eagle Rock are very lucky to have a journalist of your caliber keeping us informed!
Hart Fisher June 4, 2013 at 12:31 am
Ajay's a paid political flack. Journalist? Hardly. Paid political blogger. He's nothing more thanRead More Jose Huizar's paid flunky. Hey Ajay... How much you get paid for political work on the campaign? How much you gettin' paid for your biased vehicle removal coverage? We're curious... You paying taxes on that? "You don't get to vote. Your vote doesn't count." Jose Huizar. to the citizens of Eagle Rock. http://1201beyond.com/archives/hart-attack/hart-attack-004.mp3
Scott Martin-Rowe June 4, 2013 at 08:30 pm
Mr. Fisher, don't you need to work on your 65,000 member podcast blog? Why waste your time trollingRead More The Patch when you obviously question its credibility?