The possibility of many more urban dwellers driving than ever before, even in transit-rich locations like New York City, is still very real.
"A Manhattan garage operator is betting that city dwellers in the Covid age are driving more, and would pay a premium for a personal place to put their cars," reports Oshrat Carmiel.
"Centerpark converted an Upper East Side garage into a condominium -- but instead of apartments, it’s selling 23 parking spaces, and hired a luxury real estate broker to market them for sale to the public for as much as $350,000 each."
Kirsten Jordan, the Douglas Elliman Real Estate broker who’s marketing the units, is quoted in the article saying the new, Covid-era twist on adaptive reuse is designed specifically in response to anticipating the needs of New Yorkers with no plans to return to the subway.
The data would seem to support that assumption, according to Carmiel, even after so many months of pandemic living. "As of mid-July, weekday subway ridership had plummeted 54% from the pre-Covid days, according to the Partnership for New York City. The number of city-bound travelers on the suburban commuter rails was down more than half."
The increased demand for parking in New York City has also been evident in the political controversies regarding outdoor dining and bus-only lanes around the city.
FULL STORY: Manhattan’s Newest Covid-Age Real Estate Bet: Condos for Cars
New York MTA Cuts Bus Service
The transit crisis continues.
Tracking the New York Subway's Uneven Recovery
Ridership on the New York Subway has a long way to go to return to pre-pandemic normal, and the setbacks of recent months haven't helped the cause.
NYC Transit Ridership Patterns Have Shifted to the Outer Boroughs
Signs of the times, and more evidence of the essential service provided by public transit throughout the pandemic.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
