Highlights from #BlackFridayParking 2020
This was a Black Friday like no other—one that demanded a #BlackFridayParking event like no other. This year we asked folks to go out, as usual, and take photographs of excessive or underused parking in their cities…and then to upload the photos to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #BlackFridayParking. Nothing unusual so far. But we also encouraged people to go one step further, to use a second hashtag—#IWishThisParkingWas—and tell us what how the valuable land we’ve ceded over to parking could be better used to create more value for their community.
People have responded brilliantly. We’ll keep following the hashtags throughout the evening and weekend, but we wanted to post a few of our favorites so far.
We have so much surface parking in downtown Salt Lake City. What I've highlighted in these four images is more than 300 acres! #IWishThisParkingWas affordable housing. #BlackFridayParking @StrongTowns https://t.co/PwlzTRDVAd pic.twitter.com/bOIVyOm4os
— Mike Christensen, MCMP, CNU-A, AICP Candidate (@MRC_SLC) November 27, 2020
Very poor parking map I made (I even missed a lot I manage!) Of Charleston, WV. Red is surface Orange is garage. pic.twitter.com/ai2BlXZvkk
— Jeffery Mace (@sagechan1) November 26, 2020
First of a handful. Let's start a discussion about what else these places could be used for. To start I believe this is the second largest lot in Bend (behind Costco). #blackfridayparking #iwishthisparkingwas temp camper/RV hookups? pic.twitter.com/3NrUOG23oh
— BendYIMBY (@BendYimby) November 27, 2020
In case you were wondering... My local grocery store's parking lot is bigger than the building it's serving. I propose once again that parking minimums should be abolished#BlackFridayParking @StrongTowns pic.twitter.com/o4PsmC8Sv9
— Harrison, playing the world's smallest 🎻 (@random_fedora) November 27, 2020
This is what progress looks like, right?@StrongTowns #BlackFridayParking #ourhomeSTC pic.twitter.com/yy5lZcfQlE
— Alex Ganassini (@AlexGanassini) November 27, 2020
#iwishthisparkingwas a smaller paid lot plus transit center + better bike/walk access. We doubled its size a few years ago and it still fills up. Trying to get everyone to a hugely popular beach by car is a losing battle, and leaves a giant asphalt scar on a beautiful place! pic.twitter.com/zSAzHFdAiS
— Daniel Herriges (@DanielStrTowns) November 27, 2020
This week, @StrongTowns is focusing on educating others on why parking minimums lead to wasted space in our communities.
— Duluth Waterfront Collective (@highway61duluth) November 27, 2020
As an example - here’s a look at how much of Duluth’s downtown waterfront is dedicated to parking cars. #blackfridayparking pic.twitter.com/V3Mq5dA2b2
Cover image via the Duluth Waterfront Collective.