“There’s no parking downtown! You have to walk so far from your parking spot to get to the store you’re looking for!” How many times have your heard (or said) this? South Dakotans love (and NEED) to be able to park directly in front of the store they’re shopping at. When there isn’t a nice open space on Phillips Avenue it’s “Bah There’s no parking down here!” (God forbid hey use the completely empty and free after 5pm parking ramps).
I never hear the same complaint about shopping at the Empire Mall. It’s the same concept! Park in one location, then walk a short distance to go to multiple stores conveniently located next to each other. Director ofDowntown Sioux Falls Inc. and urban design advocate, Joe Batcheller, made this very handy map showing how the two locations (downtown and the mall) compare. The red outline is the mall’s parking lot and the yellow shape is the mall’s footprint. I thought seeing the two overlaid like this was interesting and a great way to illustrate the discrepancy for people who ‘hate parking downtown’ but love shopping at the mall. Check it:
Yea but you are using facts to crowd out a good lie. You are cheating.
This is a good point, DTSF should really be pushing this.
just like any “good” politician…”i reject your reality and substitute it with my own”
I was at the Empire a few days ago in the afternoon. First time there in several years. Maybe a dozen people down all wings with 50 or so employees. I’ve gotten used to ordering tax and shipping free from the Internet. I bought something and will go back but probably just to walk inside during bad weather. Sales are down and I wonder if the city can cover bond payments. There are lots of cars in the parking lot but it might be mostly commuters.
Downtown parking is mostly gawkers and restaurant customers. Duluth trading will realize they made a mistake. Other shops are doctor wife hobbies that keep them busy but really have no impact or sales. The parking ramps are hard to find and without signage. Remove the meters. That’s a mistake. Store them with sculptures and David until they can be sold as antiques.
The best use for downtown is for mayor’s ego and Saint Patrick’s day parades.