Council defers conversion of Hickory Street back-in parking after staff recommends enforcement and study

City transportation staff presented analysis and options for back-in parking on East Hickory Street during the Aug. 19 council meeting and recommended keeping the existing back-in configuration while the city pursues enhanced enforcement and citywide parking-study recommendations.

Background and staff analysis

Back-in parking along East Hickory Street, installed as part of the 2012 Hickory Grand Street capital project, has provoked complaints about unfamiliarity, enforcement and occasional driver confusion. Transportation staff reviewed crash data (TexDOT crash reports) and city enforcement data and tested three options:

1) Enhanced enforcement, additional signage and striping, and phased technology-assisted enforcement (lowest estimated cost; staff recommendation).

2) Convert back-in spaces to conventional front-in perpendicular parking; estimated cost exceeded $3.5 million and would require infrastructure work and a public engagement process.

3) Reconfigure the corridor to a one-way couplet connecting Hickory and Oak; staff estimated costs exceeding $5 million and noted significant corridor-impact work.

Staff noted mobility committee input (3-2 recommendation to consider conversion), but recommended a phased approach that starts with better signage and enforcement and waits on citywide parking-study findings before deciding on large capital conversions.

Council discussion and outcome

Council members questioned cost, likely change in parking counts and downstream economic or safety benefits. Several council members said they had informally polled downtown merchants and residents and found no persistent demand for conversion. The council agreed with staff's recommendation to maintain the back-in configuration and pursue enforcement, signage and study work instead of spending millions on reconstruction.

Why this matters: The decision averts immediate large capital expenditure while directing staff to improve enforcement and consider citywide parking-policy recommendations. The heavier options remain available if the citywide study and public engagement indicate conversion is warranted.

Speakers quoted: "This may be a bad idea," Councilmember [name] said of a full conversion; transportation staff said conversions would require substantial infrastructure investment and public engagement.

Ending note: Staff will implement short-term signage and enforcement upgrades and incorporate Hickory Street into the citywide parking study before returning to council with recommendations for any large capital conversion.