Northfield Downtown Parking straw poll results (82 responses)

By Griff Wigley, on February 17th, 2013

Above: See the 16-page complete report on the results of the Northfield Downtown Parking straw poll (82 responses) with the open-ended comments included. 

I’ve also taken screenshots of the results of each question and included them as images below, in case anyone wants to link to the responses of a particular straw poll question:

    

    

REMINDER: a straw poll is an informal unscientific survey of those who ‘show up.’ See my Jan. 7 blog post that explains the rationale for it.

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3 comments to Northfield Downtown Parking straw poll results (82 responses)

• 1
  Griff Wigley says:

  February 17, 2013 at 3:27 pm

  For convenience and quoting, here are the responses to the Straw Poll Item/Question 8 (comments on anything related to Parking Habits items 1-7:

  I don’t usually have a problem finding a parking spot fairly close to my destination and I don’t mind having to walk a little ways, if necessary.

  Parking in downtown Northfield is EASY. The easiest city I know. It doesn’t get much better. I VERY MUCH do not believe we have a downtown parking problem.

  I have never had a problem finding a convenient parking spot downtown, unless there is some special event going on downtown, and then I can still park a couple blocks away.

  Survey results may not be very useful in the end

  This is much ado over absolutely nothing. Anyone who has ever lived or worked in a real city knows how easy it is to park in Northfield.

  I usually can park on the same block of my destination. One qualifier note is that I seldom drive downtown on weekends because I live only a few blocks from downtown. So, I can’t speak about what parking is like during presumably high demand times.

  When I park downtown in the early evening I often feel like I’m taking the last available spot within two blocks of my destination.

  Downtown Northfield is so small that I can’t image moving my vehicle between visits to multiple downtown destinations.

  The parking issues are a myth. People are just too damn lazy to have to walk a block or more to get to their destination. Talk of buying a house to make 10 more parking spots is unrealistic and a waste of taxpayer money.

  The Washington Street “Library lot” has been full or very busy lately so I’ve been parking on the street on Washington or on 3rd Street. I’ve actually enjoyed walking a block to and from my car to get a little bit of exercise.

  The public lots on Washington street are very helpful, although they fill up fast especially in the winter months.

  Finding on street parking is very hit or miss downtown. I do not work downtown and am coming downtown as a customer for business. The lots off Washington are very helpful but are often full.

  I think the “real” question here is parking on Division St., Water St., and Washington St. The 5th/Washington lot generally has spaces, or the on-street spots between Washington and Union. Walking from the middle of the 5th & Washington lot to GBM and back is almost exactly the same distance as walking from the middle of the Target lot, doing a lap of the store and back to the car. It’s not the actual distance; it’s the perception of distance.

  As someone who works in the downtown area, I do not feel there is a parking issue downtown. I do occasionally see business owners parking on Division St vs using parking lots. When the 5th street lot was last restriped the contractor did not paint over the existing lines and there are now two sets of striping which confuses many parkers. If only one set of lines were visible you could get another half-dozen cars in that lot at any given time.

  We have a very hard time finding parking near the public library, particularly during morning hours. This is a hardship for parents of young children who wish to attend the free library story times.

  When vehicles are parked “outside the lines” it feels like an inconsiderate decision. Maybe it was because of some other persons inconsiderate behavior in being disrespectful of the lines. The ripple effect becomes a growing frustration. The frustration builds. Disrespect for “the lines” becomes a habit. How can we build more respectful habits?

  The two hour parking limit on the streets is too short, in my opinion, and discourages visitors from staying and spending money downtown. I drive 15 miles to get to Northfield to get to meetings downtown then want to run errands or shop. The meeting alone can run two hours and it’s silly and inconvenient to leave a meeting to move my car down the block to avoid getting a ticket. Public lots are a good alternative to street parking but I often find I can’t find a space.

  I feel that the parallel parking spots are way too huge and poorly used. It seems as though the people of Northfield either don’t know how to park, or maybe just don’t put in effort because the spots are so long! While not being able to find a spot is rare, there have been many occasions when I was unable to use a spot because of a poorly parked adjacent car encroaching on the space (and I drive a TINY compact car). This has occurred in the city lots as well as in the diagonal and parallel spots on Division.

  I usually head downtown at 6:45 AM, park in the 5th and Washington lot, and walk to what I need to do throughout the day.

  I do not feel that parking is an issue downtown. We should spend the tax dollars on more pressing issues.

  While there are times of day when it is more difficult to find a parking space, I’ve never NOT found one. The downtown area is small and I can walk almost anywhere from any parking spot.

  I work downtown and often have to park a block or so away from my office. I am able-bodied and can use the exercise, so I don’t usually mind. However, this last batch of ice has deterred two people from coming to my place of work because they were afraid to walk too far on icy sidewalks. I know the City staff works hard to keep the sidewalks clear so that is not at all the issue. It would be really great to have some underground/above ground parking to help keep out the weather.

  There seems to be no shortage of convenient parking downtown.

  I move my car more often than I used to for various destinations because I have a knee problem which sometimes inhibits walking as far…

  I think the only people who think we need more parking downtown are the business owners. Everyone I know has no trouble parking downtown if you’re willing to walk a block. This is a waste of tax payer money

  If a parking problem exists, it exists only at peak hours during short-lived peak months. Part of the problem is a problem of perception. Big-box retailers and malls generally have massive parking lots that go largely unoccupied except during Christmas. This produces an expectation in drivers that there should always be a parking spot directly in front of the store they wish to visit. The downtown is constructed on a different model. Though you may not park directly in front of the store, the distance walked may be less than at a big-box store. Expecting downtown parking to be like big box parking is impossible and will always disappoint. Downtown is a particular type of place; you understand and enjoy it or you don’t. While increasing parking is laudable, fixes like distant surface lots will not be used by the motorists who are unhappy now. They will be just as unhappy walking from large distant surface lots. The downtown is not a big-box retailer and holding it to those standards is unrealistic.

  I’m downtown all the time, and I never have trouble finding a spot within a block or so. We don’t need any more parking downtown, and we certainly don’t need to spend money on it.

  We don’t need to spend any more money on downtown parking. If the businesses downtown want more parking, they should buy the space themselves and let their customers park there. Also, lazy store owners need to park off of Division Street instead of asking taxpayers to pay for them to be lazy.

  We don’t need any more parking downtown. I always find a spot within a block of where I’m going, and that’s fine. We certainly don’t need to spend a million dollars on a new parking lot.

  There really is not a parking problem. Besides why should we susidize wealthy people who own builsings downtown by paying for their parking.

  I have seen many of the retail business owners keep all spots all day. We do not have a parking problem, we have a person problem.

  Building owners and retail shop owners regularly take the best spots and don’t move. They want the public to pay to make their buildings more valuable.

  There is no parking problem. This project is a device to justify wasting money on rich people who own property downtown.

  No problem when downtown is not busy. Big problem when downtown is busy. I have a private spot during winter but not during summer. My answers are for winter.

  · Reply
• 2
  Griff Wigley says:

  February 17, 2013 at 3:32 pm

  For convenience and quoting, here are the responses to the Straw Poll Item/Question 12 (What would encourage you to use non-motorized means to get downtown more often? Or conversely, what are the obstacles that discourage you from using non-motorized means to get downtown more often?)

  I live about 10 miles from downtown.

  Safer routes and crossings of major roads. Hwy 3 is a major barrier. A bike detector for the light at 2nd and Hwy 3, you have to get off your bike and walk over to hit the cross signal if no cars are present.

  time constraints

  Usually I have too many bags to carry to walk and with my bad kness cannot ride bikes

  Nothing, I am old and live outside of town.

  N/A -- I don’t live close enough

  I live on the west side, so crossing Highway 3 is the biggest impediment to cross-town cycling. That being said, I’m used to biking in bicycle-hostile environments, so it doesn’t ever keep me, personally, from biking. Bicycle sensors at the 2nd Street/Highway 3 intersection would be a tremendous improvement. Having to pull over and push the pedestrian crossing button is unsafe and time-consuming. The City should implement the infrastructure improvements recommended by the Non-motorized Transportation Task Force, beginning with the highest impact/lowest cost improvements, as quickly as possible.

  Better options -- safer options -- for crossing between 2nd and 5th. The Third St crossing by the QB Club is a challenge and often unsafe. How about a crossing light ties to the stop lights at 5th and 2nd?

  Distance and weather

  Crossing over Jefferson, Woodley and some other busy streets is just too dangerous with kids

  A higher gasoline tax.

  During busy weekends like DJJD it would be nice to have a park end ride. Maybe a free shuttle running from the rodeo parking ground to downtown that would run back and forth often during the day. Also, it would be nice to have a designated, safe bike lock-up near Bridge Square so I could leave me bike during something like River Market Fair.

  I’m mildly handicapped and biking or walking wouldn’t work for me to park too far from my destination

  The worst intersection downtown is Division and 6th. Cars parked in front of the cleaners severely impair the ability to see cars approaching on 6th from the west. I have seen many near misses there.

  Warm weather!

  If the City wants to spend money they should buy a few trolley cars that operate in the downtown area as well as shuttling people out to the Target area.

  Don’t need any encouragement. Downtown is very accessible for bikes, as long as you’re observant of traffic. Obstacles -- Snow and Cold weather, especially when dealing with young children.

  I live in the country and biking, walking, rollerblading is not doable.

  Real bike racks that actually allow multiple bikes to lock up conveniently. The old-style racks and the new decorative racks are nearly useless when trying to lock a modern bike with two quick-release wheels. The decorative racks are really only effective for one bike at a time. Centralized bike racks in multiple locations downtown would be better than the many decorative racks in front of stores (e.g. 15-20 slots at 5th & Washington, Econo Foods, Library (the rack design there is marginally effective for two bikes/rack), Water St. lot, Bridge Square (Water Street/Post Office parking lot).

  Distance prohibits it

  Get rid od the gutter ghettos (bike lanes) the give people the idea that that is the only place cyclists are allowed. Get some one that actually rides to lay out parking systems for bicycles.

  Weather is a discourager. Prior planning creating time issues is an obstacle that discourages me.

  Community education around driving by bicycles would be very helpful-- People drive way too close to cyclists. I pull a bike trailer and have had some scary experiences. Also, there is not a good way to get from the South side of town (by the high school/Bridgewater/middle school) to the West side of town on bike. The bike path by the river and bicycle bridge are lovely, but there is no good way to get into the Western neighborhoods. Going across the bridge towards Walgreens and Kwik Trip leaves you in an awkward area for cycling. If you try to take the bike lane on Hwy. 3, it ENDS on the bridge over the river dumping you into traffic (terrifying with a bike trailer behind you!). It’s a real mess and a barrier for this would-be momma cyclist. Northfield is not a big place but it is often difficult to chart a safe path to go even a few miles.

  Time, distance.

  better weather

  Safer ways to get into town and through the main intersection at 19 and 3. Crossing Hwy 3 is a challenge.

  The flooding under the highway 3 bridge and simultaneous fear of biking through the Highway 3 / 19 intersection (by the safety center).

  High traffic volumes and lack of bike lanes.

  Only the cold weather. I try to walk when it is decent weather.

  Free beer

  I would always drive…..

  I don’t feel safe riding my bicycle on the streets. I typically take Washington, but give that there are parked cars on both sides, it is difficult to navigate the traffic.

  Crossing highway 3 from the west side on foot or on non-motorized wheels is an obstacle.

  I commute from out-of-town.

  I already walk downtown almost every time I need to go there. There are no obstacles that discourage me from walking (except in icy winters the poorly shoveled sidewalk by Brett Reese’s house, which has a dangerous slope).

  not an option with age and physical problems

  Nothing

  Doing away with the ban on using them would encourage me to use non-motorized means more often.

  How about a map with 1/2 mile (10 min) and 1/4 mile (5 min) walking circles shown centered on Bridge Square -- add to NDDC, City and CVB downtown websites, the kiosk at 5th & Water, etc.

  nothing

  Nothing really.

  I just don’t have the time.

  Downtown is too distant for me.

  I live about a mile and a half away. During good weather, the car stays in the garage, and walking or biking gets me there. I don’t understand the transit routes, so that’s when the car comes out.

  Concerns about parked cars pulling away or backing up from curbs.

  The discouragement is the attitude of downtown. The stakeholders have a sense of entitlement that discourages me from shopping downtown.

  Weather (Winter). Urgency of work.

  Sharrows on Division St. would help me feel more comfortable riding in the middle of the lane vs. hugging the right side.

  · Reply
• 3
  Griff Wigley says:

  February 17, 2013 at 3:39 pm

  For convenience and quoting, here are the responses to the Straw Poll Item/Question 13 (What other comments do you have related to non-motorized transportation and downtown?

  Northfield is small enough, compact enough and its topography lends itself to non-motorized transportation; that we should be able to create a completely walkable and bikeable community.

  When I lived in town, I both walked and biked to downtown. It’s just not a real option for me now. No problem, parking downtown is GREAT, and the traffic is almost nonexistent. Those are some of the values of living in a small town like Northfield (no offense, just perspective).

  none

  I really enjoy seeing the bikers taking advantage of that mode of transportation. Also love seeing all the college students walking from Carleton

  Since I live in town, its a great way to get downtown (in summer). In the winter it’s’ more difficult as stated because of young children.

  Reduce parking on Division St. to only parallel slots and widen sidewalks. In another 15 years reduce to one-side-only parallel parking and widen sidewalks again (now sidewalk cafe becomes viable). Obviously, this only works with more off-Division parking, such as a ramp at 5th & Washington. However, this is a possible path to a Division St. walking mall. It’s been done elsewhere with great success.

  With an average of 8k miles a year on two wheels I can comfortably say, Northfield has one of the poorest attitudes on riding by both motor vehicle and their cycle advocates.

  A bike lane on Washington Street would be brilliant-- It runs parallel to downtown and has few stop signs. The terrain is relatively level. It is already a safer place for cyclist to traverse than Division Street, but would only be improved by a bike lane.

  Proximity and time are determining factors in modal decisions. Downtown is a destination for many if not most. I don’t have the time or energy to not use a motorized vehicle. To stigmatize motorized transportation in Downtown Northfield will doom the sustainable business future of that which draws people to our downtown. I would hate to see Northfield become a ghost town. That’s a dead end.

  I want to do more of it

  Please continue to keep bikes and skaters off the downtown sidewalks. It is a safety issue.

  The bicycle riders in Northfield need to learn to obey the traffic laws…..they are very careless. Motorized vehicles need to be careful as well.

  no additional large lot is needed ; better use of now under-utilized spaces is needed, as is regular, not sporadic, enforcement of parking time limits.

  The new Hwy 3 under pass will not bring any more people downtown. It’s a waste of money, we should axe the project and use the money for something else

  Continue to forbid bikes, boards and blades on downtown sidewalks, riverwalk and footbridge. Use center-street signs on stands to remind motorists to mind the people-powered users (and move then around as students arrive, summer starts, etc.). Remember, our motorized vehicles are great for 70mph to/between town trips -- its the last mile where they are problematic. A good parking management plan must evolve to accomodate/encourage the transition to people-powered use and also deal with the need to move things around, and accomodate the physically challenged.

  If this is about parking management, why are you asking questions about non motorized transportation.

  I think this bike trail crossing over hwy 3 is a colossal waste of money, and will change nothing.

  I think this is not so much a straw poll, as a survey, conducted in an unscientific and biased manner. Supposedly anonymous comments are not allowed here, but all of us are making anonymous comments, and anyone can take this survey as many times as they want, so what’s the point. I certainly hope the results of this poll aren’t presented in any way that implies they are at all meaningfull or scientific;

  South water lot on East side is usually always full. We need some parking lots on the outside edge of the downtown. Q block or the empty lot on the corner across from there would be a great start.

  The NDDC has a conflict of interest and should not be running this project.

  This project is a waste of money. It is just another way to justify the money we waste on the NDDC.

  This is a complete waste of taxpayer money. Is this poll statistically significant -- no. As a taxpayer you should return our money.

  I disagree with the money the city spent to retain you and the NDDC.

  Summer and winter are very different.

  I usually drive downtown 1-2 times per week when I am doing serial shopping and have lots of stuff to haul home.

  I’m looking forward to this but I’m biased. -- Griff Wigley

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