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Comment by dsfyu404ed | Hacker News Reader

I don't disagree with the numbers but you could make this same argument for literally any feature of a business that has the affect of making that business more attractive to customers with Y quality (where Y is not something all customers have).

Let's imagine that the parking lots of Walmart, $localSupermarketChain and other stores is cut to 1/4 it's present size. What happens then? I suspect the inability to draw wealthier customers from further away (because "why shop somewhere you can't find parking") would cause a price increase.

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They specifically talk about the fact that cities require a minimum number of parking to be built for businesses and residences. Now, if this requirement wasn't present then economical forces would take over, places without parking would be ideal for less wealthy people because the prices would be lower.

> Now, if this requirement wasn't present then economical forces would take over, places without parking would be ideal for less wealthy people because the prices would be lower.

On the other hand, wouldn't those places tend to have fewer customers because people who are not willing or able to get their without driving will go someplace with more parking, and so would have to charge more per customer to cover fixed costs?

Maybe, maybe not. But isn't that for the businesses to decide, depending on their needs? As it stands, large numbers of businesses (and residences, etc.) are required to have more parking than they ever need at any point. How does that make sense? Why can't the owners of a property determine how much it's worth to them?

Yes, and if businesses want to do that, I don't think anyone here is going to object. As you say, it could be like any other perk (albeit a very expensive one to provide).

But the status quo is that businesses are required to provide parking by the government. That's the real problem; even if the business would rather have lower prices or spend more money on different amenities, they have to provide that parking.

Exactly. Let the businesses decide.

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