We love to get all kinds of questions and comments here at Sprawl & Crawl, and the following show the diversity of things that show up in the old mailbag.
Brooke writes: “I wish that residents of Baltimore City could get a discount on parking garages around the city/Inner Harbor. I believe I?ve read that garage prices may go up, and on a good note, that some garages are now giving a discount on hybrid cars, but it would be great to get a discount just because I?m a resident. You see, myself and other residents that I have talked to find it easier to leave the city to go shopping at places in the surrounding counties, rather than pay the garage prices. I also would love to join in the festivities in the Harbor more often throughout the year, but I won?t pay to go park when I only live a mile down the road, and I don?t want to walk to the Harbor all the time, especially in colder/wet weather. I know my idea is farfetched, but I would go to more stores, restaurants, doctors and other services around the city if I didn?t have to pay an arm and leg for something that I can do for fewer dollars in gas to leave the city. If I could have my wish, I know that I would be spending more money in the city and supporting more stores than in other areas. Until then, I?ll continue to give my money to areas that I don?t live in.”
Interesting idea, Brooke, but one that is not likely to get much action. The garages are a necessity for drivers coming into the city and officials would much rather you use one of the options available to you since you live in the city. Those “out-of-towners” are more likely to buy things like food and souvenirs than a resident and that means more tax revenue ? the city already gets yours. Taking a bus would save you the money on parking, or you could even take a cab to go from door to door, although you probably wouldn?t save any money over parking.
Frank writes: “While motoring about the various highways and byways, I have noticed that at current or proposed construction sites that the street, curb, grass or whatever is painted with various strips or markers of ?Day-Glo? blues, reds, oranges, yellows, etc. The question is, what does each color represent with respect to the type of underground utility?”
Here?s the answer from the staff at the Maryland State Highway Administration: red: electric; yellow: gas; orange: communications (fiber optics, cable TV, telephone); blue: water; green: sewer; pink: temporary survey; white: proposed excavation line.
Questions, comments, random musings? Write to [email protected].
