memorandum

to:                  Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

from:            Dwight Bassett, Economic Development Officer

subject:      Presentation of Parking Study information

date:            October 15, 2008

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to introduce a presentation from parking consultant Richard Rich of Rich and Associates on the Downtown Chapel Hill Parking Study.

BACKGROUND

The Chapel Hill Town Council established the Downtown Parking Citizens Committee on May 8, 2006; and subsequently made appointments to the Committee.  The Committee began its work in September 2006, and meetings continued until January 31, 2007.  From this report came the recommendation to “Collect key statistics and baseline data that measure the current use of parking downtown by area, time parked, and nature of business of the parking customer.”  The Downtown Parking Citizens Committee report also included the recommendation to “Assess the need for future long-range parking demand and supply and evaluate need for additional parking infrastructure following full implementation of the recommended [items] and review of parking management strategies in this Report.” The Downtown Partnership recommended that the Town move forward with a Parking Study to further understand these issues.

In September 2007, the Downtown Partnership in conjunction with the Town of Chapel Hill issued an RFP with a deadline of October 9, 2007. The proposals were received and the final two firms were interviewed by Dwight Bassett, Economic Development Officer, Brenda Jones, Parking Superintendent and Partnership Executive Director, Liz Parham.  A recommendation came from the group to retain Rich and Associates to complete the Parking Study.  As the Study was being conducted a citizens committee was formed to meet with the consultant and met in January and May 2008.

This presentation is being made to Town Council and the Downtown Partnership Board of Directors so that both can hear the final recommendations being made for downtown parking by the parking consultant. The recommendations can be referred back to the Town Manager for analysis and future recommendations to the Council.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Council refer this item to the Town Manager to develop recommendations to bring back by adopting Resolution A.

ATTACHMENTS

  1. Parking Study Presentation, May 2008 [2.4 MB pdf] (p. 3).

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (October 15, 2008)

  1. Parking Study Presentation, October 15, 2008 [2.7 MB pdf]