Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking And Transportation Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parking services cites master plan, garage upgrades and license-plate technology; elevator delays raise accessibility concerns
Summary
Parking Services presented a mid-course update on a downtown parking master plan, noted delays repairing two garage elevators and said license-plate recognition technology is under consideration to improve enforcement efficiency.
Parking Services presented its 2026 outlook and implementation priorities on Sept. 3, including the near-term completion of a citywide parking master plan and plans to evaluate license-plate recognition (LPR) technology for downtown garages.
Adam Wason, Public Works director, said the parking master plan is nearing its midpoint and will recommend changes to on-street meter management, garage access, permits, neighborhood permitting and technology. Wason told council the master plan could lead to code updates for council consideration. He said the division has increased ADA spaces, updated pavement markings, and intends to implement master-plan recommendations when funding and staffing permit.
Wason and staff also described operational challenges in 2025: high turnover in parking operations, verbal abuse of enforcement officers, and protracted problems with elevator contractors at the Morton and Walnut Street garages. While Wason characterized the elevator work as “a nightmare,” staff said they were close to completion and have posted contact numbers and provided rides for customers with mobility needs.
On technology, parking staff said LPR could improve enforcement efficiency and enable gateless garage management; the city will await the Walker master-plan recommendations before adopting a system. Council members raised privacy concerns and requested specifics about how LPR would integrate with current payment platforms (T2, ParkMobile); staff said they would defer final decisions until the master plan report and will present implementation options.
Council members also asked about garage capacity for the new convention center and hotel; Wason said Fourth Street Garage occupancy and revenue have improved following rebuild work but cautioned that the garage might not have capacity for every very large event. Staff committed to sharing parking-supply metrics and revenue/debt information with council.
No appropriation was adopted at the hearing. Parking Services’ work will continue alongside the citywide budget process and the Walker master-plan analysis.
