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Downtown parking, ambassadors program and a proposed PID drawn into forum debate
Summary
Candidates discussed downtown parking shortages after a property sale removed private spaces, the city’s ambassador/cleaning pilot and a staff proposal for a public improvement district (PID) to fund ambassadors.
At the Denton League of Women Voters forum candidates addressed downtown parking loss after a private lot changed ownership and debated whether to fund the ambassadors/cleaning pilot with a public improvement district (PID).
Multiple candidates said parking studies indicate available spaces but that proximity and perceived availability drive public concern. Karen DeVinny recalled a Friday‑night downtown study that showed roughly 30% of spaces available at peak hours and suggested the problem may be distribution rather than total capacity: “There may not be a parking problem per se,” she said, while acknowledging mobility needs for people with limited walking ability.
Nick Stevens called for practical measures such as shuttles from remote lots to evening events, citing examples of theaters that use remote parking with frequent buses: “Perhaps one of the solutions is… making sure that we have buses going back and forth every few minutes.” Dr. Brian Beck, vice chair of the Mobility Committee, recommended city use of modern parking software and license‑plate based enforcement to direct drivers and regulate long‑term squatting of prime downtown spots.
On the ambassadors program, which deploys staff to clean, assist and maintain downtown, staff proposed a PID — a property tax assessment inside a defined area — to pay for the service. Candidates were mixed about a PID. Nick Stevens said he opposed adding a property tax assessment to downtown businesses and questioned program effectiveness: “I'm not in favor… because this was a conversation that came up a few weeks ago at a work session, and it revolved around the red vest program in the downtown… It didn't work.” Several other candidates described positive interactions with ambassadors and said they would consult with downtown business owners about funding options.
Why it matters: downtown parking and cleanliness affect small businesses, visitors and neighborhood residents; funding choices for services such as ambassadors can shift costs between property owners and the general fund.
What remains unresolved: candidates recommended surveying affected businesses, exploring shuttle or software solutions and deciding whether downtown businesses or the city general fund should pay for ambassador services.
