Tony Jordan and Chris Meyer: Pushing for People Over Parking
Feb 26, 2024
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Join Tony Jordan and Chris Meyer as they discuss their efforts in advocating for parking reform, aiming to prioritize people over parking. From eliminating parking mandates in Minnesota to building coalitions for change, they highlight the impact of parking policy on housing, equity, and the environment, urging bipartisan support for reform.
Advocacy for parking reform led by Chris Meyer and Senator Omar aims to eliminate statewide parking mandates, promoting housing affordability and reducing carbon emissions.
Challenges in building coalitions and overcoming political hurdles underscore the importance of bipartisan collaboration and education for successful parking reform.
Economic and social benefits of eliminating parking minimums highlight the positive impact on economic development and urban revitalization efforts.
Deep dives
Origin of Parking Reform Efforts in Minnesota
The podcast discusses the origins of a historic statewide parking reform bill in Minnesota spearheaded by legislative assistant Chris Meyer and Senator Omar. Chris's advocacy for parking reform dates back to 2010 after reading Donald Shoup's book 'The High Cost of Free Parking', leading to successful efforts in Minneapolis and beyond. The bill, known as the Minnesota People Over Parking Act, aims to eliminate minimum parking mandates statewide for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
Drafting and Key Provisions of the Parking Reform Bill
The episode elaborates on the drafting and essential provisions of the parking reform bill, emphasizing its concise nature and straightforward impact. Senate Council Joan White drafted the bill, prohibiting political subdivisions in Minnesota from imposing minimum parking mandates. The bill clarifies exemptions for disability parking and bicycle parking requirements, focusing on promoting housing affordability and reducing carbon emissions.
Building Coalitions and Overcoming Political Hurdles
The podcast delves into the challenges and strategies of building coalitions and navigating political hurdles to support the parking reform bill. Despite bipartisan efforts and support from environmental and labor groups, hurdles include concerns about local control and opposition from some legislators. The discussion highlights the importance of education, coalition-building, and bipartisan collaboration towards achieving statewide parking reform.
Addressing State Preemption and Coalition Dynamics
The episode examines the dynamics of state preemption and coalition-building in the context of parking reform initiatives. The dialogue underscores the bipartisan nature of parking reform efforts, transcending political divides and ideological differences. Strategies for raising awareness, expanding coalitions, and advocating for policy changes on parking mandates are central themes in the ongoing discussions and legislative processes.
Impact of Parking Mandates on Local Communities
The podcast delves into the effects of parking mandates on local communities, highlighting how these mandates lead to numerous negative consequences. By examining the equation of cost, space, and mandates, the podcast emphasizes that each aspect magnifies the problems related to parking, such as increased congestion and heat islands. The discussion underscores the importance of education in softening opposition to parking reforms and building coalitions to address parking policy.
Benefits of Removing Parking Minimums
Another key focus is on the benefits of eliminating parking minimums, with examples showcasing how such reforms can spur economic development and affordability. The podcast emphasizes the impact of parking regulations on businesses, emphasizing how excessive parking requirements can hinder new developments and urban revitalization efforts. By highlighting the potential economic and social benefits of removing parking mandates, the podcast advocates for reevaluating existing parking policies towards more flexible and efficient solutions.
This week’s episode of the Strong Towns Podcast is all about parking reform, and here to talk with host Chuck Marohn on the matter are Tony Jordan and Chris Meyer. Jordan is the president of the Parking Reform Network, a bottom-up nonprofit that’s working to educate the public about the impact of parking policy on climate change, equity, housing, and traffic. Meyer is the legislative assistant to Senator Omar Fateh, who was crucial in introducing a bill—the first of its kind in the nation—to eliminate parking mandates statewide in Minnesota.
