From paradise to a parking lot to a high rise

February 3, 2010 - 2:15 PM by

The gates are closed at the Mahane Yehuda parking lot.

“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot…” then they tore up the parking lot and put up a high rise.

I’m not sure if Joni Mitchell meant that for the continuation of her lyrics to “Big Yellow Taxi” but it seems to be the modus operandi in Jerusalem, at least for the parking lot next to the Mahane Yehuda fruit and vegetable shuk.

The huge area, on the corner of the capital’s Jaffa Road and Shmuel Hanavi St. has been the one saving grace of going downtown in recent years – it’s the only outside, spacious parking lot around and has serviced the shuk shoppers as well as anyone else brave enough to dare to tread downtown during the construction of the light rail tracks.

So imagine my surprise today, when walking past it, I noticed that the lot was closed, the exits gated off, the pavement boasting huge holes in it, and one of those gigantor signs announcing yet another luxury high rise to be built on the premises.

Just what we need in Jerusalem – less convenient parking and more outrageously priced apartments that will be bought by foreigners who will leave them empty 50 weeks a year. Way to go, city hall. And Joni, if you want to do a new version of “Big Yellow Taxi,” you can use my idea without credit.

Tags: , , , , • Category: A New Reality, Business, design, Environment, General, Israeliness 

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