I pay $50 per month to park downtown. In a not-well-lit, open-air, pot-hole covered, non-secure lot. In PEORIA. In the several years since I moved to Peoria and started paying this street-tax, these facts never cease to amaze me.
Here's the real kicker - this is the cheapest lot I could find anywhere near my office. But I didn't choose it because it was cheap. Believe it or not, I chose it because it was the safest and cleanest option offered to me. The other two lots near my building are horror-movie scary. One of them is semi-enclosed, but this means there is still no security and anyone can get in at anytime. It also is a favorite bathroom spot for the local homeless population, so the stairwells stink of urine. The elevator is never clean and usually broken in some manner. I believe the going rate for this luxury is $60 per month.
The other lot is underground. One might think this would be more secure. Nope. The lighting is so dim that I can't see my keys in my hands when I approach my car. The walls are so thick that, if I were attacked, no one would ever hear me scream. At least this one smells better. On the other hand, there are always mysterious drips coming from the ceiling that are definitely not water. I believe this lot goes for $75 per month.
And who brings us these local treasures? Good old National Garages, also known as Heartland Parking, who have an apparent monopoly on parking in downtown Peoria.
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I think I park in the same lot. Aside from being approached by the occasional panhandler, its not bad -- better than round and round in the crappy concrete deck. Extreme heat and cold are no fun either.
But -- there have been tire slashings in the deck attached to my building.
I'm a lawyer (and I'm really trying to figure out who you are), but I never tried to figure out this question -- does Heartland/National have a monopoly on parking in downtown Peoria and, if so, is that illegal??????
Inside joke- I think I lost the bet.
I share your parking woes. I pay for two spots in the Commerce deck. $122 per month total. Ouch! But, it's still better than trying to find and feed a meter, and then paying the inevitable parking tickets.
And, yes, it would be nice to have a cheaper lot downtown.
I don't know for 100% certain, but I thought the city owned (at least some of) the garages, and Heartland had the contract to manage them. Not that heartland actually owned them. Can anyone confirm?
Gosh, I guess I'm fortunate- my downtown employer provides and indoor heated garage, with an opener, and it's very secure. However, when I was parking in the Liberty street garage, by ICC- my car was broken into.
Who are these employers downtown that won't pony up for employee parking passes? How are they on other perks, pay toilets ect.
To answer the anonymous question - it is my understanding that very few employers pay for parking. In Peoria or any other city, for that matter.
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