Market Urbanism

Liberalizing cities | From the bottom up

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“Green” Parking Garage in Chicago. Oxymoron?

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Developer, Al Friedman plans to build a “green” parking garage in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, where development has replaced many surface lots. (Crain’s)

Environmentally speaking, it’s probably better than a surface lot and frees up more space for productive development. But, can the structure itself being green offset the environmental effects of the cars using it? Is this a lesser of evils? Or is making a parking structure “green” a wasted effort?

What do you think?

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Bill Nelson

    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.

  • Bill Nelson

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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?

  • Robert

    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.

  • Robert

    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.

  • T.C. O’Rourke

    Yes.

    Next question.

  • T.C. O’Rourke

    Yes.

    Next question.

  • CristianStar

    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

  • It’s probably better than a surface lot and frees up more space for productive development.

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