Denver parking surplus near transit centers burdens developers and renters

The Arvada City Council meeting on June 17, 2025, featured a significant discussion on the impact of parking at transit sites, highlighting concerns over excessive parking provisions in new developments. A speaker referenced a 2020 study by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), which indicated that parking near transit sites in the Denver metro area is utilized at only 60% capacity. This figure drops to 50% when considering income-restricted housing.

The speaker emphasized that many new developments, such as a hypothetical 50-unit building, are being constructed with more parking spaces than necessary—specifically, an excess of 25 spaces. This surplus could cost developers up to a quarter of a million dollars, contributing to higher housing costs. The argument was made that the space allocated for parking, which can take up to 10,000 square feet, is not only financially burdensome but also inefficient, as it does not generate revenue for the city.

The speaker pointed out that these additional costs ultimately affect renters, particularly low-income families who are less likely to own cars. A study from Rutgers was cited, indicating that eliminating unnecessary parking spaces could save tenants over a thousand dollars annually in rent. The speaker urged the council to reconsider its current parking policies, suggesting that the city should drop a pending lawsuit related to parking and explore more aggressive parking reforms.

The meeting concluded with a call for the council to add this topic to future agendas, reflecting the community's interest in addressing the inefficiencies associated with parking near transit centers. The discussions underscored the need for a reevaluation of parking requirements in light of their financial and spatial implications for housing development in Arvada.