Committee seeks ride‑share geofencing and temporary lane changes to ease Convention Center area congestion

With convention activity increasing, the committee examined friction points on Convention Center Drive between 17th and 18th Streets and surrounding blocks. Commissioner Bond said ride‑share vehicles stopping midblock, constrained lanes from hotel construction and high pedestrian volumes are creating unsafe and chaotic conditions that are likely to worsen when the adjacent hotel opens.

City transportation staff and police described near-term and longer-term steps: coordinate with the convention center, parking and ride‑share companies to geofence pickup areas (particularly for pickup rather than drop‑off), deploy public‑safety specialists at known hotspots during large events, and consider temporary repurposing of parking lanes to ease southbound flow while construction compresses lanes (staff estimated the lane closure is scheduled through March of next year). Jose Gonzalez said a traffic study focused on the intersection outside the garage (Convention Center Drive and 18th Street) could be completed with modest analysis and might be funded internally or in partnership with the convention center’s enterprise funds; he committed to prepare a resolution seeking study authorization and to coordinate police deployment for events.

Commissioner Matel Selenas requested stronger localized traffic control (temporary signalization or on‑site traffic specialists) for high‑volume conventions; staff said they will pursue an intersection study and continue pre‑event coordination with the convention center and police. The committee approved sending the study/resolution forward for consideration and requested follow-up near-term updates.