Advisory board advances parking, circulation and redevelopment planning; identifies potential town‑controlled parcels

At a joint session on June 9 the Economic Development Advisory Board provided a strategic update and prioritized parking and circulation work for the coming fiscal year, identifying privately held lots and an underperformed private parking tract as potential solutions to the town center’s parking constraints.

The board’s update, delivered after a staff briefing, emphasized three near‑term efforts: finish a circulation and parking project assessment by consultant Kimley‑Horn; integrate parking and circulation recommendations into the village center redevelopment plan; and examine targeted land acquisitions or agreements for shared parking. "The reason the purpose for the board... is to really originally, is to carry out the work plan that was established," said Propotek (board member), opening the presentation.

Why it matters: Carefree’s municipal budget and downtown vitality rely heavily on sales tax from retail and restaurant activity. Board members and staff said addressing parking and circulation is essential to supporting and attracting businesses and to unlocking longer‑term redevelopment options for the town center.

Key items discussed - Underused private parking: Town staff reported outreach to local banks; Bank of America indicated evenings and weekends would be available pending signage and liability arrangements; city staff said JPMorgan Chase has been contacted and appears amenable in concept. Staff flagged the need to document insurance and signage arrangements before formalizing shared use. - Tract B appraisal: A privately managed surface lot (referred to as Tract B) that serves multiple downtown parcels has 106 spaces and a perpetual easement / management agreement tied to adjacent property owners. Staff obtained an appraisal value of about $80,000, reflecting use restrictions; repaving the lot was estimated in a broad range ($70,000–$200,000) depending on scope. Staff said acquisition or a public‑private short‑term maintenance solution are both options. - Target parcels for acquisition or temporary parking: staff identified several private parcels near the Galleria, behind the Chevron station and a site between Town Hall and the Galleria as candidates for future town control or temporary parking; the town completed appraisals to inform negotiations. Staff cautioned that some owners are absentee or unwilling to sell. - Employee and event parking: staff observed employee parking needs and event demands (Thunderbird shows, etc.) create different requirements; potential solutions include shared use agreements, temporary event lots, or longer‑term acquisition and structured parking.

Next steps and timeline Staff plans to finalize the Kimley‑Horn circulation and parking assessment this summer and to fold the parking recommendations into a draft amendment of the village center redevelopment plan. The board will continue targeted outreach to private owners and pursue legal/insurance terms for shared evening/weekend use where feasible. Staff will circulate the advisory board calendar and supporting materials to members electronically.

No formal ordinance or acquisition decision was made at the meeting. The board approved the strategic work plan update and adjourned after the parking discussion; any parcel purchase or substantial change to public parking policy would require separate council action and appropriation.