TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Interim Report on Reconfiguration of Parking Lot 5 and Related Parking Matters
DATE: October 27, 2003
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an interim report on the Lot 5 reconfiguration project.
We also present follow-up information on smart card technology and the possible mixture of parking meters and on-street automatic pay stations on Franklin Street.
On May 12, 2003, the Council adopted a resolution to reconfigure Lot 5 in order to provide public parking access to both the Franklin Street and Rosemary Street portions of the lot. The Council authorized us to make the following provisions:
· Locate public parking spaces on both Franklin Street and Rosemary Street.
· Locate public parking along the perimeter of the lot (67 spaces).
· Locate leased spaces generally in the interior of the lot (104 spaces).
· Remove the entry gate and interior gate barrier.
· Locate one pay station on the Rosemary Street side, in the center island under the existing tree.
· Locate one pay station on the Franklin Street side, in the east end of the center island.
On May 12, the Council also requested that pay stations be smart card activated and that smart cards be available on site at Lot 5. The Council also requested that we report back in the fall with information on installing mixed meters and pay stations on Franklin Street.
The pay stations have arrived from the manufacturer and we are proceeding with the installation. We have completed the following:
· Installed electrical service to the proposed sites. The base for the units has been poured and anchors are in place.
· Completed numbering of parking spaces.
· Informed rental customers of impending changes to the lot.
· Obtained parking hang tags and issued them to rental customers.
· Received authorization for increased parking time limits.
· Obtained new signage and determined placement.
We have received further recommendations from the vendor during the process that would enable us to make a smooth transition from one system to another. Staff training will take place during the week of October 27, and pay station operation will begin in early November.
Overall the planned system has not changed substantially from the configuration that the Council approved on May 12. Parking staff worked with the Town’s Urban Forester regarding the placement of the units in proximity to the existing trees. We have relocated the units to areas that are close to the original plan but they are now placed in a manner that does not impact the trees.
Leased Spaces
FGI, which has leased parking spaces from the Town in Lot 5 since 1994, will be moving their operations at the end of the year. This will mean that we will have an additional 70 spaces available for public parking, or for a mix of public and rental parking.
With the termination of the parking arrangement with FGI, there is an opportunity to provide additional public hourly parking. We will advertise the availability of rental parking to maximize the use of the lot.
With the approval of the installation of automatic pay stations in Lot 5, the Council expressed interest in having smart cards available on site through the use of a card vending system.
Because of the complexities involved in equipment and technology, there are still many unanswered questions regarding a successful implementation of a smart card program. There are a number of factors that still need to be considered with this option including:
· Start-up costs
· Cost recovery
· Distribution
· Potential partnership with other community agencies
· Marketing
· Customer response to smart card systems
We are currently researching other communities that have used smart card technology, with particular attention to the cost-benefit of such a system.
The Council has expressed interest in establishing an on-street parking system consisting of parking meters and centralized pay stations on Franklin Street.
The main purpose of utilizing multi-space meters or pay stations is revenue enhancement. This is accomplished by reducing the ability of patrons to “piggyback” off of previous patrons, using their time; reducing the expense involved with operation, maintenance, and collections by reducing the number of individual units; and by offering greater variety of payment options. Further research on this topic includes consideration of:
· Initial capital costs
· Configuration/placement of units
· Cost recovery
· Ongoing maintenance
We will further research other communities that have implemented such systems and will review both the positive and negative aspects of such a program. We will report back to Council on this issue later when we have more information.