Multi-level covered parking garage with parking lofts, at nightBy Joseph Heyman

I’m looking for examples of garages that would otherwise be empty at night being used by neighbors.

The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is undertaking a major addition, which will cause disruptions to the neighborhood. As a goodwill gesture, it is proposed to allow nearby residents use of the museum’s 388-car garage at night for free or reduced rates, using a lottery to assign access. Everyone would benefit as the arrangement would remove about 200 cars from the street, making it easier for everyone to find nighttime parking. 

The museum has asked me to find any examples of museums or other public parking facilities giving away or making available at greatly reduced rates their parking spaces that would be otherwise unused overnight. Any examples would be appreciated—please leave them in the comments below.

Joseph Heyman is an urban planning consultant.

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