Have you ever found a parking spot so perfect you can’t understand why nobody else grabbed it? You go for it with gusto, take your time cruising the mall for that perfect purchase, then return with a bevy of goodies…and it all becomes as clear as quicksand. And just as deep.
Possibly the most mismanaged of all NYC resources is parking. A quick survey of passersby will most likely bring out comments like these:
“It’s terrible, it’s really terrible.”
“It’s crazy, it’s horrible. Way out of hand.”
“I’ve driven around for an hour looking for a spot.”
“Yeah, it’s a total nightmare.”
Parking in Manhattan can be everyone’s worst nightmare. Even when you think you’ve found a safely metered place to park, chances are you forgot to add enough time on it or, even worse, the meter was broken. And the result? Parking ticket nightmares.
Some people even choose to park on sidewalks; unable to find anywhere else to park. The tickets mount up, and people waste precious time fighting them in court. Not only a drain on your bank account, but a sure fire way to run your blood pressure and your doctor bills way up the heart rate meter.
The Search for a Spot
Donald Shoup, a UCLA transportation scholar and one of the world’s leading authorities on parking, had this to say recently during a Freakonomics Radio podcast:
There was a study done in New York. Researchers interviewed drivers who were stopped at traffic lights in Manhattan and asked them if they were cruising for parking. At least 28% of them were.
A typical parking fine in Manhattan is $115. And if you pay late, you can add penalties on top of that. Whether you drive regularly in the city or just come in once in a while, it ought to be a concern. Not only are parking tickets a tremendous financial hardship, the emotional toll can, well, take its toll. And good luck finding a system wherein you can take advantage of discounts and coupon prints; it requires a Houdini-like effort for sure.
The Best Place to Park
One of Manhattan’s busiest areas is the one surrounding Madison Square Garden. It’s easy to see why. Not only a short walk to the theatre district, restaurant row and the world famous Macy’s, MSG is also home to some of Manhattan’s biggest entertainments.
One Penn Plaza is a choice parking address for being where the action is and being able to connect with all NYC has to offer, uptown or downtown. You just need to find a reliable and experienced facility to do business with. And parking is a serious business. No one wants parking nightmares, we want sweet parking dreams.
For example, Icon Parking has over 200 parking facilities in virtually all of Manhattan's most high profile, prestigious neighborhoods and business districts, with a facility located directly underneath One Penn Plaza. After more than 50 years in business, they remain on the forefront of providing unsurpassed value to city residents, commuters and visitors by delivering affordable parking and prompt, courteous service.
Tom Lowery enjoys writing about people, interpersonal skills and business.
