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2022 parking study urged better striping, signage and use of underutilized spaces downtown
Summary
Commissioners cited a 2022 parking study of the downtown 'blast zone' that found employee parking monopolizes turnover spaces and recommended better striping, highway signage and promotion of the trolley to distribute visitor parking more effectively.
Planning commissioners reviewed findings from a 2022 parking study focused on the downtown (the study area or "blast zone"), and flagged operational recommendations to reduce downtown congestion.
Vice Chair Mary Abbey described the study as a weekend‑focused inventory of parking and traffic flow that documented how employee parking can monopolize turnover spaces and how some stalls are used by visitors parking for long hikes. The study recommended better use of existing on‑street capacity through clearer striping and highway wayfinding, and suggested branding public parking so visitors can more easily find alternate lots.
Staff gave the West 4th Street striping and new highway signage as examples and noted that modest, more visible signs directing drivers to public lots could improve distribution. They also said some on‑street spots are poorly visible and could benefit from more eye‑catching signage or branding.
Commissioners and staff discussed combining these management measures with transit (the trolley) to reduce peak demand rather than relying solely on higher off‑street minimums.
