Colonial Parking report shows revenue mixed; committee weighs rate structure, lighting and new bike lockers

Chris Hankins, Colonial Parking, reviewed March garage performance and operational items before the West Chester Parking Committee. He reported March revenue of $213,744 and said the figure was “a bit better than budget” but below February and March 2024 levels. Year-to-date revenue was reported as $568,512 against a $625,000 annual budget. Hankins said March operating expenses for both garages were $65,861 and exceeded the month’s budget, driven in part by Colonial’s three‑pay month timing in March.

Hankins said contract parking has shifted: in March 2024 contract revenue had exceeded transient revenue, but “the transient revenue makes up a larger portion of the total revenue” this March, indicating some monthly permit holders are opting for daily parking instead. He gave current contract-parker counts as 310 at Bicentennial Garage and 676 at Chestnut Street Garage for a combined total of 986 contract parkers and said conversion work to move customers onto Colonial accounts is essentially complete.

The committee and Hankins discussed rate-group enforcement and potential consolidation of rate categories. Hankins noted the daytime rate ($95) is currently discounted relative to the 24/7 rate and said that is “a little bit unusual,” suggesting staff may recommend adjustments after reviewing usage patterns. The committee’s director said staff had discussed consolidating from three rates to two to simplify administration.

On operations, Hankins said staff is coordinating with Public Works and Ramsey (the director) to evaluate garage lighting and trial additional lights during daytime hours to improve perceived safety while monitoring energy cost. He also reported discussions with Will Williams, the director of sustainability, who has been reviewing heating and will provide feedback on lighting plans.

Director remarks to the committee covered other garage projects: PennDOT’s final approval for a streetery permit remains pending and will affect a single property if approved; a part‑time enforcement officer will start to reduce enforcement coverage gaps; electronic bike lockers purchased via a T‑Max grant will be installed on a concrete pad at the Chestnut Street lot (formerly Lot 10) and staff will bring a policy and fee proposal for app‑based use to a future agenda; and the ceiling (membrane) rebid for the Bicentennial Garage will open on May 8. The committee also moved additional kiosks into the Gay Street and Darlington lots and is updating signage and leases for those locations.

Committee members asked for clearer usage verification for monthly parkers so accounts match permitted hours, and for follow-up on any recommended rate changes. The director said staff will email monthly customers about account parameters and report back with usage data and recommendations.

Ending: The committee directed staff to continue monitoring usage and expenses, to bring proposed rate-structure changes and a bike-locker policy to a future meeting, and to share lighting trial cost estimates with Public Works and the sustainability director before implementation.