Eastside parking as an economic indicator

When it comes to judging economic and financial conditions, Echo Park photographer Martin Cox prefers monitoring his street, Laguna Avenue, instead of Wall Street. When times were good and the young and up-and-coming began moving in, parking grew tight and he often gave up finding a space big enough for his clunker Caddy. Now, parking is no longer a problem.

"As if following the financial markets, parking began to appear right as we approached the bail (fail) out and credit crisis. Each day more space, even at night. Now I see spaces in front as the Dow dips below 10,000 with each dive. Could Laguna Ave. be some kind of bellwether street for the economy?"

If that's the case, Wall Street investors might want to take a drive on Laguna Avenue before deciding where to park their money.

Photo by Enrique Fuente via flickr