I do not commute to NYC so naturally I do not see commuter parking as the main problem for the CBD.
Online shopping has cut into the sales at Macy’s, Sears and other large dept stores. They and a lot of other retailers will be closing stores. This business dynamic is hurting local stores and large retailers.
What brings shoppers to town? Maybe it is time to do a CBD survey.
People now come to eat and run errands. I do not buy clothing in town. I go to the post office, bagle store, and drug store. I may not go often but the shoe repair shop is a godsend. I have lunch and dinner in town (not at the restaurants that were aggressively lobbying for the garage). BYOB makes great restaurants affordable.
I don’t know if you can draw shoppers back to town. The malls are having a difficult time keeping customers.
