Cedar Point and proposed parking tax

From the Toledo Blade:
Sandusky officials table proposal for parking tax

The Sandusky Register had more information, but the story on their web site is only available to paid subscribers. The story said that Cedar Point is threatening legal action if Sandusky commissioners add the 8% parking tax. The legislation for the tax doesn't specifically name Cedar Point, but since Cedar Point is the only business in town that charges a parking fee, it is the only business affected.

The article went on to say that if the tax was passed, Cedar Point would not pay it or would pay under protest. The city is not considering raising its 3% admission tax.

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com
*** This post was edited by Gemini 3/27/2003 9:35:46 AM ***

I say sue the bastards! There comes a point in time where the city crosses a line. Sandusky needs Cedar Point to support its economy, but if it starts to go after money because it can, and not because it needs it, that's a problem.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

The problem is not that the city doesn't need the money, they do, like every other government entity. While times were good they acted like the grasshopper in stead of the ant. Instead of being fiscally responsible and making plans for leaner times they just spent and spent and now they want us to pay for it.

It's just like Erie County wanting to enact a .5% "Seasonal" sales tax while Cedar Point is open.

It's all a crock.

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tambo

Right, and business shouldn't have to pick up the tab for irresponsible municipalities.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

When was the last time Sandusky did anything FOR Cedar Point?

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ONE freeway stamp a day... ONE

Besides which, can you imagine the back-up on the Causeway if they charge people $8.64 to park?

Of course, if I were Cedar Point and the city were to levy a parking tax like that, I think I'd respond by making a revenue-neutral adjustment to admission rates and switching to free parking. Or flop the rate structure: $0.50 parking, $7.50 causeway toll.

--Dave Althoff, Jr., who thinks amusement parking charges are outrageous to begin with...

Ah, now there's a smack in the face. Wouldn't that be a big score? Better yet, add parking tolls to admission, so the city gets exactly ZERO.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

How would/could this affect season parking pass holders?

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Proud to be a Shoeless Rider!

Live life to the hight.

Well, it wouldn't affect us this year, we've already paid for our parking pass. It would start to affect us next Summer.

Actually, Jeff, didn't I say that? :) Now remember, my suggestion was to make a "revenue neutral" adjustment to the ticket price, and that includes the season passes, so I wouldn't expect a refund for my parking pass just because those passes would become irrelevant. And passes would cost more, but they would all include parking. Imagine the PR the park could get, though, if they were suddenly the biggest park in the country to offer FREE PARKING!!

The only problem with that is that the admission is also subject to a tax. But it's 3%, not 8%. I suppose going to free admission with rides on a POP-only basis might get around that one...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Who wonders how much Holiday World gets for "parking"

Isn't the state of Ohio also trying to pass a tax on park admissions? Ohio is in debt real bad. After school funding has been cut in Toledo, waiting on the tax cuts. Which is kinda interesting because sports is still around, and sports is suppose to be a club sport!
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----Jesus Freak----

*** This post was edited by newt 3/27/2003 10:08:59 PM ***

I'm not sure about the possible park admission tax by the state, but I do believe Gov. Taft has proposed a parking tax at the state level.

Creating free parking and increasing the price at the gate is a good idea, but then the city would just increase the admissions tax.

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

Darned if you do, darned if you don't!!
*edited to be family friendly! :)------------------
----Jesus Freak----

You guys are lucky in ohio. Over in los angeles, almost every parking lot in my town charges. Except ralphs (aka kroger west), which has free valet!

It seems like the 8% parking tax would mean that the city just takes 8% of the parking revenue.

You are right by thinking that, but, any increase will either be more money out of our pockets, or less for CP. Personally IMO any parking fee is really bull****, anywhere. But CP and anyone else that charges know that we have to drive to get there.

I like the idea that if this fee is put in place, get rid of it and increase the price at the gates.

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The best thing about Six Flags "Worlds of Adventure" is that Cedar Point is nearby!

Browntggrr said:

I like the idea that if this fee is put in place, get rid of it and increase the price at the gates.

But how much would you increase the gate prices? You can conceivably pile 8 people into a large car or SUV and split the parking eight ways OR you could just be two people in a car... Parking rate is on a per car basis, while gate price is on an individual basis.

Regardless of how this is handled, somebody gets screwed.

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Visit Tommy'sWorld!!!

Or you could offer free parking off point somewhere, and boat the people over!(charging for the ride,less than parking!) Like the good old days!! (but it probably wouldn't work! not enough money in it.) I still think that would be pretty cool! I keep hearing stories from my parents when they were little!
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----Jesus Freak----
*** This post was edited by newt 3/28/2003 12:11:30 PM ***

There are a lot of ways the City could retaliate if the Point dropped the parking fee. It probably isn't worth the fight. What will likely happen at the end of the day is the City will increase the bed tax by another percent.

Those of you ticked about high parking prices, we pay $20 to park at a Dolphins game and the walk isn't much shorter than the walk from the back of the CP lot.

An article and editorial from yesterday's Morning Journal:

Sandusky set to decide Cedar Point parking tax

Unfair parking tax would take Cedar Point for a ride

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com
*** This post was edited by Gemini 4/14/2003 6:49:02 AM ***