Downtown Parking

I've lived in big cities before, but since moving to Fort Worth, I've spent a lot more time in this downtown than in any other.  And there are some definite differences.  The two biggest things that jump out at me are the number of people actually walking around, and what people will do to avoid paying for parking.  The people walking around are not that big a deal; you just aren't allowed to hit them.  The parking is another story.

Like any other downtown, parking is not cheap, and there's not always a lot of it around when you need it.  There are a few parking garages, but if you're just running in for a minute or two, metered parking makes a lot more sense.  This is where it gets fun. 

For some reason, there seem to be a lot of meter poles missing their meters.  I'm curious at to whether people broke them off, or if the city removed them for repair or replacement.  Either way, these are coveted spots.  Since the time limits are posted on the meters themselves, a missing meter means you can stay there all day for free. 

Another way to score free parking is to use the city buses.  Fort Worth offers free bus service as long as you stay downtown.  These free routes generally start a block or so from downtown, and the surrounding streets are meter-free.  Commuters take advantage, park their cars on the street, and hop on the free buses.  I travel these street daily, and I have to mention that some of these people really need some parallel parking lessons.  And a lot don't seem to realize many of the streets are one way. 

Of course there's always that person who takes free parking just a little too far.  My school is located downtown and has 3 free parking lots for students, faculty, and staff.  The key to that last sentence is for students, faculty, and staff.  This is prominently displayed at each lot entrance, and if you don't have a valid parking permit, you get ticketed.  But if you're late to work and can't find parking, do you really care?  I mean, is a ticket from the school really enforceable?  Apparently not.  The school keeps its students in line by tying unpaid fines to things like registering for classes or graduating, but its not like the school can garnish your paycheck if you refuse to pay.

Faced with not having enough parking once the lots were invaded by downtown commuters, the school took matters into its own hands.  And it found a way of making those tickets enforceable.  Somewhere along the way, the school purchased its very own wheel boots.  You'll still get ticketed for parking in the lots, and you still can't be forced to pay the fine, unless of course you ever want to drive your car again.

And in case you're wondering, yes, I have seen a boots on cars in the school's lots.  And did I mention that the fee is now triple what it was in the pre-boot days?  Those sneaky lawyers.....