If you ask 100 suburban shoppers why they strongly prefer to go to the Malls and Community Businesses to shop rather than Downtown, the majority will cite the hassle of parking downtown. Yet, the Cincinnati City Council has voted to outsource city parking to private equity for an upfront $92 million payment to solve budgetary deficits and undertake some infrastructure projects. This deal will increase the cost and hassle of parking in the city and act as a detriment to business traffic in Hyde Park, Oakley and Mt. Lookout Squares. Ironically, as an unintended consequence, the shopping areas of Kenwood, Madeira, Columbia Township and Mariemont will benefit. This is a prime example of short range solutions at the expense of longer-term benefits for the City of Cincinnati. What are your thoughts?