Car sharing coming to Portland

A new condo building will have a car sharing program for its residents - not sure if it will be open to others. Sounds like a good idea, but there seems to be a lot of new, and empty, condo projects in town.

PressHerald: "The City Council unanimously approved a zoning change Monday that will allow Peter Bass to build a 26-unit condominium complex at Danforth and High streets with 42 fewer parking spaces than are usually required by city ordinance.

The four-story, modern brick building will have a 14-space garage on the first level, including two spaces dedicated to shared cars that will be owned, insured and maintained by the home- owners' association.

It is Portland's first officially sanctioned car-sharing program and an example of the city's effort to allow less parking as a way to encourage residents to have fewer cars, especially downtown."