Comments on: “Green” Parking Garage in Chicago. Oxymoron?

By: CristianStar

CristianStar — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:35:32 +0000

I think that if we start thinking a little more about our safety, this concept wouldn't sound like an oxymoron. We need to combine our need with the surrounding nature because she is the one who keeps us alive and if we don't take care of her, we just might disappear as a race.

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SFO Parking

By: T.C. O'Rourke

T.C. O'Rourke — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:15:50 +0000

Yes.

Next question.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:17:51 +0000

Another “Green” building, this has unfortunately lost its favor as the first response put it very well. However a parking garage is a key element in creating an urban setting; bringing people in to the city, removing cars from the road and people to the street or transit. And most all if this is a successful venture it proves to be a win-win for capitalist developers and urbanist who should be happy to see a consolidation of parking lots into a multi-layered structure.

By: Market Urbanism

Market Urbanism — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:45:52 +0000

Here’s an interesting article by Don Boudreaux about “green”:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/boudreaux/s_568904.html

What do you think?

By: Market Urbanism

Market Urbanism — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:20:50 +0000

I wouldn’t say a garage needs to offset environmental effects of the driver. A garage is a garage. It doesn’t use much energy, although the cars it stores do.

If the demand for parking tells Mr. Friedman to build a garage, why not?… But, to claim a garage is “green” is a stretch.

By: Bill Nelson

Bill Nelson — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:03:56 +0000

Why should a garage need to offset “environmental effects”, or for that matter, serve any purpose other than a place to park your car? Sure, it might be “green” — or it might be “low carbs” or “organic” or what have you, but that’s a marketing gimmick to appeal to (unfortunate) popular tastes.

Parking is difficult in that area (at least by non-NYC standards), so now it will be a little more competitive with other areas in (and around) Chicago. If you like to see people in the city center, then they had better be able to park — or you won’t see them there at all.

Especially in Chicago, where any overlap between subway stations and active/desirable areas is strictly coincidental.

By: Market Urbanism

Market Urbanism — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:04:57 +0000

I would definitely chalk it up to a marketing gimmick, since I would argue that a genuinely green person would walk or bike to work.

The real news may be that green sells, regardless if it’s really environmentally friendly.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:31:53 +0000

Hm. It seems that “green” has morphed from a scientific argument/debate to a religion to a way of life to a marketing gimmick. Seems that the enviro crowd would rather park their Priuses (is that the correct pluralization?) in a “green” parking lot than one of another color. And, in an upscale urban neighborhood “green” is hip.

“Mr. Friedman said going green seemed the right thing to do for a neighborhood known for its youthful spirit.”

Perhaps it’s more about that than anything else.

But, you’re absolutely right – green parking garages do indeed seem like an oxymoron. But, hey – you can plug in your electric car there, so all is well!

Thanks for your post!