I understand that the overall concept for the new Union Station includes it being a “park n’ ride” hub for people working in Hartford, New Haven, or metro NYC . Very few may use it for daily commutes, but it may prove useful for the once or twice per week commuter and as such parking is a necessity. That said, that the brand new multi deck parking garage is completely empty is not at all surprising given that commuter trains won’t be running until January AND THERE IS ALREADY TOO MUCH PARKING downtown.
I happened to be in a downtown office tower earlier this summer and snapped this photo between 10-11 am:
Looks like there are a few spaces available.
We need to get beyond this obsession with parking. I’ve lived downtown for most of the last 30 years, most of that time with a car but without any dedicated parking. Maybe 8 times a year I have to park a block further from my house than usual; it’s still not as far as I had to walk JUST TODAY to renew my license at the RMV.
Most of the time my wife and I walk to our favorite restaurant: Panjabi Tadka. From the tables by the window we can see the new, nearly empty garage. Sometimes we do drive, but in the years we’ve spent going there we’ve never once had trouble finding a spot on Gridiron Street, on Lyman Street, or right in front on Main Street.
Parking in the north blocks is not a problem. I’d know if it were. Honestly. Ain’t nothing getting between me, chat papri, and their lamb boti kebab masala!