Council staff recommends LAZ to manage four city parking garages with $125,000 in vendor improvements

City staff told the council they received three bids for a contract to operate four city-owned parking garages — Washington Street, Fayette, Madison‑Irving and Center Armory — and that the RFP evaluation committee unanimously recommended LAZ as the preferred vendor. Staff said LAZ submitted the lowest overall cost across security, staffing, operating expense budget, management fees and equipment.

In addition to operating services, staff said the LAZ proposal includes a $100,000 investment for entry‑floor beautification and landscaping across the garage portfolio and that the vendor will bear cost and project management for EV charging installations at Fayette, Madison and Washington Street garages valued at an additional $25,000. The contract length under consideration is three years with two optional two‑year renewals, which would require council approval to exercise.

Why it matters: The city is examining long‑term options for its downtown parking assets as changes in the I‑81 corridor and evolving demand could affect parking supply. Councilors discussed the need for a consultant to assess long‑term financial and urban planning options — including capital improvement costs, potential demolition or repurposing of aging garages, and opportunities created by the I‑81 transformation. Staff said the consultant scope would examine revenue potential, capital needs and disposition alternatives and that the item is not bondable and would require cash capital or other funding to pay for any consultant work.

Councilors discussed exploring a citywide parking asset strategy and a potential joint committee meeting to review consultant scope and financial options. No final contract award was approved during the session; staff said they would move the LAZ recommendation to the council agenda for formal action and continued planning for consultant support.