Survey: Most want above-ground parking facility

Why shouldn't there be an above-ground parking facility? I mean, what is this is comparison to? And what are the other alternatives? In general, more parking space is good isn't it?

Downtown Menlo Park cannot become more vibrant (whether retail-wise or eating/entertainment-wise) without 1 or more parking structures. Of course most residents prefer to park above ground and not have to walk up/down more than 1 flight of stairs. But we should also consider providing all-day parking below ground or on higher floors rather mixing it with hourly parking or forcing it onto residential streets as is the present case. Parking on the roof of a 2-floor parking structure might work; i.e., effectively 3 floors of parking.

I guess I feel a little contrary to the general feeling for above the ground parking. I'd like the cars hidden below ground and have the top surface be grassy and park like. This way we can have our parking and beautify our city at the same time. Just envision what that would look like, with cars hidden and shoppers and there children enjoying a park everywhere we park our cars. A place for shoppers to rest & then be able to shop longer.

People are already complaining about cost. Below ground is much more expensive.

From the following link: Web Link

"3- Parking below-grade – Parking below-grade is much more expensive than parking above-grade. A parking structure that is five levels above-grade may cost, say, $50 per square foot. If this same structure is depressed one level into the ground, the cost can increase approximately 15% to $57.50 per square foot. If you take that same structure and put two levels below ground, the cost increases even more because of the impacts of having to dig deeper. This cost would then be around 45% higher than the original cost or approximately $72 per square foot."

The linked document is an interesting read regarding construction of parking.