City officials and LAZ Parking representatives on Tuesday discussed a proposed contract for LAZ to operate four Syracuse municipal garages — Washington Street Garage, Fayette Street Garage, Madison‑Irving Garage and the Center/Armory facility — and outlined related investments in EV charging, security and a longer-term study of garage infrastructure.

The discussion matters because the garages are a recurring source of downtown parking, revenue and maintenance costs; the city faces aging structures and competing pressures as highway and redevelopment projects alter parking supply. Staff described a draft contract that would mirror the previous agreement, with a three‑year base term and two optional two‑year renewals requiring Common Council approval, and noted LAZ proposed investing in beautification and EV infrastructure as part of the agreement.

Connor Mardoon, the city’s chief operations officer, said LAZ has operated the city portfolio “since 02/2009” and that the proposed deal would closely follow the prior contract structure. Mardoon told the committee LAZ was the lowest bidder on staffing, operating expenses, management fees and equipment, and that LAZ would invest $100,000 of its own funds for entry‑level beautification across the garage portfolio and manage installation of EV chargers at Fayette, Madison‑Irving and Washington Street garages, an effort LAZ estimated at about $25,000 in value.

Kendi Diaz, area manager for LAZ Parking, said operational staffing for the Syracuse portfolio totals about 20 employees and described the local workforce as diverse: “I’m gonna say 90% of our employees are City of Syracuse residents,” Diaz said. Justin Melhard, LAZ’s director of business development, noted the company staffs about 1,200 employees across New York and New Jersey and more than 20,000 nationally.

Committee members asked how many EV charging ports would be installed; city staff and LAZ said the initial plan would avoid overloading electrical infrastructure, and gave approximate counts of about eight chargers at Washington Street, four at Fayette and four at Madison‑Irving. Staff cautioned the number at Center/Armory is zero at this time, citing space constraints and a recent capital investment that could trigger tax or utility issues if reconfigured.

Security and safety were raised repeatedly. Pat Monan (city staff) and LAZ staff described a monitored camera system and a duress/panic system linked to a call center that notifies police. Mardoon said all garages except Center/Armory are fully camera‑monitored and security cameras are watched “24/7.” LAZ staff said security contractors perform patrols and garage walks to check for vandalism and safety hazards.

On rates and revenue, staff said monthly parking fees have not been adjusted since 2017 and are generally below market. Officials gave a range of typical monthly rates across garages from about $70 to $125 depending on user type and facility; for example, staff said Madison‑Irving charges $70 for certain medical‑building employees and $80 for the public, Washington Street has regular rates near $90 with reserved spots up to $125, and Center/Armory is a flat $100. City staff said a draft parallel proposal to the council would recommend rate adjustments and possibly automatic periodic increases so the city does not fall years behind market rates.

The committee also discussed a staff plan to commission a consultant study — estimated to take six to nine months — to analyze parking supply and demand, long‑term economic and real estate implications, and the useful life of garages. Mardoon said Northeast concrete garage structures can approach a practical life of about 50 years, and the study would inform choices about maintaining, redeveloping or divesting specific facilities. Corey Dunham, the city’s chief administrative officer, noted the city previously “offloaded the AXA garage” and said selling or demolishing some facilities remains an option depending on study findings and market conditions.

Members asked for ongoing transparency; staff said the finance office receives monthly reports and that LAZ prepares monthly management presentations covering financial performance, operations and maintenance items, which staff committed to share with the council. The city also discussed the Washington‑Street employee shuttle, which staff said averages about 30 riders in morning and afternoon runs and could be explored for expanded or festival service.

No formal motion or vote was recorded at the meeting on the contract; staff described next steps including circulating a scope of work for a garage study, preparing procurement language if the council approves, and returning to the Common Council for any contract or renewal approvals.

Looking ahead, officials said the contract will require Common Council action before option years take effect, electrical infrastructure limits will constrain the initial number of EV chargers, and any major redevelopment of Center/Armory or other garages could trigger state or utility conditions tied to past capital funding.