Committee advances downtown parking plan to full council after mixed feedback from merchants

Jason Fine, deputy director of Public Works, and Sterling Emerson, the city’s parking manager, presented a revised downtown parking plan on March 25 that would change on-street pricing, eliminate “leapfrogging,” and increase monthly garage and 10-hour meter rates to shore up the parking fund.

Staff said outreach included the Downtown Topeka Inc. board, the Downtown Merchants Association and one-on-one meetings with major stakeholders. Emerson told the committee that stakeholders generally supported policing the “leapfrogging” practice, designated 15-minute pickup spaces, and increases to garage rates, but strongly opposed introducing paid on-street parking on Kansas Avenue and the hundred blocks east and west of Kansas Avenue.

Key staff recommendations included a modest garage monthly-rate increase (staff proposed raising certain garages from about $67.75 to $74 per month as repairs are completed), raising 10-hour meters from $0.50 to $1.00 and 10-hour monthly permits from $44 to $74, adding signed 15-minute pickup spaces, removing orange cones, and instituting a Kansas Avenue premium of $1.25 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2026. Staff presented a colored-zone map showing a premium core on Kansas Avenue with progressively lower-priced zones moving outward.

In committee discussion, Councilmember Marcus Miller asked for data showing how on-street and garage revenues and costs are allocated; staff said the system is treated as an integrated parking fund but noted the majority (about 80%) of current revenue comes from garages and 20% from on-street parking. Staff told the committee that to make the garages self-sustaining under current expense levels, monthly rental equivalents would need to be near $95 per month.

Committee Chair Spencer Duncan moved to advance the plan to the full council without recommendation to allow broader discussion; Councilmember Michelle Hofer seconded. The committee voted to advance the package but recorded one nay (the roll call showed opposition from one member), reflecting unresolved concerns from some downtown stakeholders about on-street charges.

Ending: Staff will present the package to the full council for broader discussion. The ordinance and resolution language included with staff materials will be used for council consideration, and staff said they will continue stakeholder outreach and provide further financial breakdowns on streets vs. garage costs if requested.