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Downtown parking study recommends better signage, ADA fixes and options for paid parking
Summary
A consultant told council downtown parking is underutilized off street and patchy on street; recommendations include ADA compliance work, short‑term loading and turnover measures, outreach, and considering paid parking in the core to manage turnover.
A downtown parking analysis presented to the joint city council and NDC meeting identified roughly 1,700 parking spaces in the downtown study area split between on‑street and off‑street supply, and recommended a sequence of short‑, mid‑ and long‑term actions to manage supply and access.
The consultant reported peak weekday on‑street occupancy of about 50–60% in March (projected to rise seasonally to 70–80% in summer) and urged the city to move long‑term parkers into underused off‑street lots and the parking structure to free on‑street spaces for short visits.
Short‑term recommendations include targeted education for businesses that use public right‑of‑way spaces as if they were private, removal of private signs in public spaces, stricter enforcement of ADA parking to reduce potential liability, and improved communication about parking options. Mid‑term proposals include replacing parking technology in the structure, testing paid parking in the core to manage turnover, and encouraging shared use of privately owned lots. Long‑term strategies call for building new parking supply only when redevelopment removes surface lots and demand warrants it.
The consultant also flagged inconsistent ADA compliance in on‑street and off‑street spaces and recommended a focused audit and remediation plan, describing it as a potential liability issue if not addressed. The study team recommended continued use of a steering/advisory group for downtown parking policy and regular monitoring of occupancy as development proceeds.
Council thanked staff and the consultant for the timely overview and discussed forming a smaller task group to work with staff on detailed implementation.
