City staff proposes comprehensive downtown loading‑zone study; immediate 30‑minute loading zone request placed on file

City traffic staff asked the commission to receive and place on file a Department of Public Works request to create a 30-minute loading zone on the west side of the 100 block of South Broadway (Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–5 p.m.). Staff said the request is part of a larger downtown study to identify where pickup/drop-off lanes and loading stalls are needed, and to avoid creating zones that later become obsolete when businesses change.

Tom, the traffic engineer, told commissioners the department will compile business-district feedback and a map for both downtown districts (On Broadway and the OBI), coordinate with parking-division review, and then return with a bundled recommendation. "We’re doing a bigger study as to where all the loading zones where the business districts want them, and where we're gonna create them," he said. Staff emphasized outreach to BIDs, LLCs and property owners rather than imposing one-off zones.

A downtown business owner described repeated instances of delivery trucks cutting through and parking in the private lot at 409 South Chester, damaging pavement; the owner asked whether a short-term remedy is possible before an alley closure and the comprehensive study. Staff recommended enforcement and coordination with business districts and alder members, noting that loading stalls at the front door are often inappropriate for semi truck deliveries.

The commission voted to receive and place the request on file and directed staff to return with the comprehensive study and recommended locations.