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Staff to renegotiate Courthouse Plaza Level 3 sublease after low utilization during Main/Winooski work
Summary
DPW will reopen negotiations to reduce the number of leased spaces in the Courthouse Plaza Level 3 parking sublease; utilization has averaged about half capacity due in part to the Main and Winooski intersection closure, and staff recommended seeking a smaller, cheaper agreement through October construction season
Department of Public Works staff informed the committee they will restart negotiations to reduce the city’s sublease of 85 spaces on Level 3 of the Courthouse Plaza parking garage because utilization has fallen during nearby construction.
Staff reported average peak daily transactions of roughly 70 at the 85‑space lot and occupancy that on good months was about half full; usage has fallen further while the Main Street and Winooski Avenue intersection has been closed for construction. The current agreement charges the city approximately $11,000 per month for 85 spaces (about $4.60 per space per day). In September and October the lot generated roughly $7,000 in revenue (about 60% cost recovery), but in January revenue fell to roughly $2,000 while the city continued to pay the contracted monthly fee.
Given continuing Main Street construction eastward through the spring and into October (stormwater/sewer and surface work), staff asked permission to negotiate an adjusted arrangement with the garage owner that would cut the leased space roughly in half and reduce the monthly cost for the city while preserving some parking mitigation for businesses during the season. Committee members expressed support for reducing the leased space and requested periodic utilization reports; one member asked staff to present utilization data (which staff said they can provide in a director’s report or consent report).
Staff said they expect reopening of the Main/Winooski intersection in mid‑March could boost usage but that other blocks will remain impacted by construction activity. The committee did not take a formal vote to change the agreement at this meeting; members signaled support for staff to pursue renegotiation and for staff to return with utilization figures and a proposed revised agreement.
Ending: DPW will reopen negotiations with the garage owner to seek a lower‑cost arrangement for spring and summer while monitoring utilization; staff will provide utilization reports to the committee as negotiations proceed.
